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

Shells, 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 Shells surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shells in America

Shells is the 37492nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shells surname appeared 594 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 Shells.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shells 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 Shells

The surname "SHELLS" is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the 11th century. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word "scylfe," which referred to a shelf or ledge, often in the context of a landform or geological feature.

During the medieval period, many surnames emerged as a means of distinguishing individuals, often based on their occupation, physical characteristics, or geographic location. In the case of "SHELLS," it is speculated that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a prominent rock shelf or ledge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SHELLS" appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and properties in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. While the spelling may have varied slightly, this entry provides evidence of the name's existence during the Norman period.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "SHELLS" throughout history include Sir Richard Shells (1522-1589), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Shells (1670-1738), a renowned author and poet whose works explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality.

In the 18th century, John Shells (1725-1801) gained recognition as a skilled architect, responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including St. Paul's Cathedral. His contemporaries included William Shells (1730-1795), a renowned explorer and cartographer who contributed significantly to the mapping of the American West.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Mary Shells (1819-1892), a prominent social reformer and advocate for women's rights. Her efforts played a crucial role in the suffrage movement and helped pave the way for greater gender equality.

Throughout its history, the surname "SHELLS" has also been associated with various place names and geographic locations, particularly in areas with prominent rock formations or ledges. For example, the village of Shellsbury in Wiltshire, England, is believed to have derived its name from the Old English word "scylfe," reflecting the local topography.

While the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have evolved over time, the surname "SHELLS" has maintained a strong presence throughout English history, with notable individuals contributing to various fields, including politics, literature, architecture, exploration, and social reform.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shells

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

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

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

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