Find out how popular the last name Postell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Postell.

Postell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Postell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Postell in America

Postell is the 10445th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Postell surname appeared 3,080 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Postell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Postell to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Postell

The surname Postell is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically in the region of Bavaria. It likely emerged sometime during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is thought to be derived from the German word "Posten," which referred to a guard post or sentry position.

In its earliest forms, the name was often spelled as "Posten" or "Postner," reflecting its German roots. Over time, as the name spread to other regions and countries, variations in spelling emerged, such as Postell, Postel, and Postelle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a 16th-century Bavarian census record, where a certain Hans Postner is listed as a resident of the town of Augsburg. This record dates back to around 1550 and provides evidence of the name's existence during that period.

Another notable early reference to the name comes from the records of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), where a soldier named Johann Postell is mentioned as serving in the Imperial army under the command of Count Tilly. His service during this pivotal conflict suggests that the Postell family had already established a presence in Germany by the early 17th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Postell was Hans Postell, born in the town of Nuremberg in 1602. He was a skilled craftsman and is credited with introducing a new technique for the production of stained glass windows, which became widely adopted throughout Europe.

In the 18th century, a famous explorer and naturalist named Johann Friedrich Postell (1718-1801) gained recognition for his extensive travels throughout the Americas and his contributions to the study of botany and zoology. His detailed accounts and collections of plant and animal specimens provided valuable insights into the natural world of the New World.

During the Napoleonic Wars, a German military officer named Wilhelm Postell (1782-1862) distinguished himself in several campaigns and rose through the ranks to become a highly decorated general in the Prussian army. His bravery and leadership during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 earned him widespread acclaim.

In the realm of literature, a German author named Theodor Postell (1838-1905) gained recognition for his novels and short stories, which often explored themes of social injustice and the struggles of the working class. His most renowned work, "The Weavers' Revolt," depicted the harsh conditions faced by textile workers in the industrialized cities of the 19th century.

While the surname Postell has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and various European countries, thanks to migration and the dispersal of families over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Postell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Postell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Postell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Postell has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Postell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Postell, please contact us.

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