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

Shenault, 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 Shenault surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shenault in America

Shenault is the 157234th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shenault surname appeared 103 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 Shenault.

The history of the last name Shenault

The surname Shenault is believed to have originated in France, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period around the 12th century. The name is thought to be derived from the French word "cheneau," which translates to "a small channel or gutter." This suggests that the name might have been initially associated with individuals who lived near or worked with these types of water channels.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Shenault surname can be found in the Armorial Général, a collection of heraldic records compiled in France during the late 17th century under the orders of King Louis XIV. This document includes entries for several Shenault families, indicating the name's presence in various regions of France during that time.

In the 14th century, a notable figure with the surname Shenault was Jean Shenault, a French nobleman and landowner from the region of Champagne. Historical records indicate that he was involved in several local disputes over land and property rights, providing insights into the social and political dynamics of the era.

During the 16th century, the Shenault surname gained prominence in the Loire Valley region of France, particularly in the town of Saumur. Notable individuals from this period include Jacques Shenault (1525-1598), a prominent merchant and vineyard owner, and his son, Pierre Shenault (1560-1624), who served as a magistrate in the local courts.

In the 18th century, the Shenault surname made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the French colonies in North America. One notable example is Marie-Anne Shenault (1730-1802), who was born in Quebec and became a prominent figure in the fur trade industry, establishing successful trading relationships with various Indigenous communities.

Another significant figure with the Shenault surname was François Shenault (1820-1892), a French-Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Quebec Legislative Assembly during the latter half of the 19th century, representing the riding of Napierville.

Throughout its history, the Shenault surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Chenault, Cheneau, and Cheneault, reflecting regional linguistic differences and the evolution of language over time. However, the core meaning and origins of the name remain linked to its association with water channels and geographical features.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shenault

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

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 Shenault 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.

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

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

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