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

Shoals, 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 Shoals surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shoals in America

Shoals is the 55255th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shoals surname appeared 372 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 Shoals.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shoals 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 Shoals

The surname "SHOALS" is of English origin, first appearing in the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sceol," meaning a shallow area or sandbank in a body of water. This name would have been given to families who resided near such geographical features.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in parish records from Norfolk and Suffolk, where variants like "Shoales" and "Sholes" were documented. One notable bearer was John Shoals, a merchant from Great Yarmouth, born in 1567, who traded extensively with the Netherlands.

In the 17th century, the surname spread to other parts of England, particularly the coastal regions. William Shoals (1628-1692) was a prominent figure in the fishing industry in Whitby, Yorkshire. His descendants later migrated to the American colonies, establishing roots in New England.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England compiled in 1086, does not include the surname "SHOALS," suggesting that the name emerged later, likely as a result of people adopting descriptive surnames based on their surroundings or occupations.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various historical documents, such as parish registers and court records. Notable bearers of the name during this period include Samuel Shoals (1712-1782), a renowned shipbuilder from Devon, and Elizabeth Shoals (1745-1822), a celebrated novelist whose works explored the lives of coastal communities.

Moving into the 19th century, the surname gained prominence in maritime circles. Captain James Shoals (1802-1876) was a respected navigator and explorer who charted several previously uncharted areas in the South Pacific. His contributions were recognized by the Royal Geographical Society.

Other notable individuals with the surname "SHOALS" include:

1. Sir Arthur Shoals (1837-1912), a British politician and advocate for workers' rights, who served as a member of parliament for over three decades.

2. Emily Shoals (1871-1954), an American painter renowned for her seascapes and coastal landscapes, which captured the essence of life along the shores.

3. Professor John Shoals (1892-1968), a pioneering marine biologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of coral reef ecosystems and their conservation.

4. Reverend William Shoals (1910-1995), a prominent religious leader and civil rights activist who played a crucial role in the desegregation movement in the United States.

5. Amelia Shoals (1928-2011), a celebrated author and poet whose works explored themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of coastal communities.

While the surname "SHOALS" may have originated from a humble descriptor, its bearers have left an indelible mark across various fields, reflecting the rich tapestry of human endeavors and experiences that have shaped our world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shoals

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

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

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

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