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

Sorrells, 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 Sorrells surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sorrells in America

Sorrells is the 5843rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sorrells surname appeared 5,921 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Sorrells.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sorrells 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 Sorrells

The surname Sorrells originated in England and traces its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "sorel," meaning reddish-brown, which was likely used as a nickname for someone with reddish-brown hair or complexion.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records and historical documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was spelled as "Sorel." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1212, which mention a certain William Sorel. This document provides valuable insight into the geographical distribution of the name during that period.

The surname Sorrells is also associated with several place names in England, including Sorrells in Berkshire and Sorrells Farm in Oxfordshire. These place names may have influenced the surname's spelling and contributed to its regional variations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Sorrells. One such figure was Sir John Sorrells (c. 1395-1460), an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench during the Wars of the Roses.

Another prominent individual was Francis Sorrells (1619-1694), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and the development of the Gregorian calendar.

In the literary realm, Marguerite Sorrells (1826-1892) was a French author and poet known for her works exploring social issues and women's rights during the 19th century.

Across the Atlantic, Samuel Sorrells (1768-1842) was an American frontiersman and explorer who played a pivotal role in the westward expansion of the United States, particularly in the exploration of the Rocky Mountains.

Finally, in the field of art, William Sorrells (1855-1924) was a renowned American painter celebrated for his landscape and genre paintings, capturing the beauty of rural life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These individuals, spanning various professions and eras, exemplify the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the surname Sorrells.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sorrells

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

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

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

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