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

Qualls, 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 Qualls surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Qualls in America

Qualls is the 2999th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Qualls surname appeared 11,958 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Qualls.

We can also compare 2010 data for Qualls 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 Qualls

The surname Qualls has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "cwealm," which means "kill" or "destruction." This suggests that the name may have originally been given to someone who was a skilled warrior or hunter.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1268, where a William Quall is mentioned. The Pipe Rolls were financial records kept by the English government, and their inclusion of the name suggests that it was already established in the region at that time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Quayll, Quale, and Quaile. These variations reflect the fluid nature of spelling during that era, as well as potential regional differences in pronunciation.

The Qualls surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Quall Farm in Worcestershire and Quall Hill in Staffordshire. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the surname or could have influenced the development of the name itself.

One notable individual with the surname was Sir Robert Qualls, a member of the English gentry who lived in the late 16th century. He is recorded as having served as a magistrate and held land in Gloucestershire.

Another prominent figure was John Qualls, born in 1624 in Somerset, England. He was a Puritan minister who emigrated to Massachusetts in the 1630s and became a prominent figure in the early days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 18th century, the Qualls surname was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Warwickshire. One individual of note was William Qualls, born in 1732 in Yorkshire, who served as a captain in the British Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

The 19th century saw the surname spread beyond England, with members of the Qualls family recorded in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. One significant figure was James Qualls, born in 1821 in Warwickshire, England. He was a successful businessman who emigrated to Canada and became a prominent figure in the development of the city of Toronto.

Throughout its history, the Qualls surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, military personnel, businesspeople, and landowners. While its origins may be rooted in warfare or hunting, the name has evolved to encompass a diverse array of individuals and their contributions to society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Qualls

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

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 Qualls 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 Qualls 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 Qualls was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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