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

Regal, 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 Regal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Regal in America

Regal is the 22281st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Regal surname appeared 1,157 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Regal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Regal 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 Regal

The surname Regal originates from the Old French word "regal", meaning "royal" or "kingly". It is believed to have first emerged in the medieval period, particularly in regions of France where the French language was spoken.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Regal can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and estates across England and parts of Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname may have been among the Norman nobility who accompanied William during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Regal surname was associated with individuals who held positions of authority or had ties to the royal court. Some historical records indicate that the name was occasionally bestowed upon individuals who exhibited regal or noble qualities, regardless of their actual social status.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named Sir William Regal (c. 1320 - 1388) served as a knight and advisor to King Edward III of England. His legacy is documented in various chronicles and records of the time, highlighting the prestige associated with the Regal name during this period.

Another notable bearer of the Regal surname was Jean Regal (c. 1450 - 1520), a French nobleman and military commander who fought in the Italian Wars under King Louis XII. He is mentioned in several contemporary accounts for his bravery and strategic prowess on the battlefield.

During the Renaissance era, the Regal surname gained further prominence with the rise of the humanist scholar and poet Jacques Regal (1505 - 1567). Born in Paris, his works and writings were widely circulated and celebrated throughout Europe, contributing to the intellectual and cultural renaissance of the time.

In the 17th century, the Regal name found its way to the New World, as evidenced by the arrival of Robert Regal (1625 - 1698) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He became one of the early settlers in the region and is recorded as having established a successful farm and trading business.

Throughout history, the Regal surname has been associated with a sense of nobility and prestige, reflecting its etymological roots in the concept of royalty and kingship. While its geographic origins can be traced back to France, the name has since spread across various regions and cultures, leaving a lasting imprint on historical records and accounts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Regal

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

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

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

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