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

Spells, 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 Spells surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Spells in America

Spells is the 13569th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Spells surname appeared 2,235 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Spells.

We can also compare 2010 data for Spells 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 Spells

The surname SPELLS originates from England, with its roots traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "spellian," meaning "to tell" or "to speak," suggesting a connection to storytellers or orators in ancient times.

The earliest known records of the name SPELLS can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Spelle." This indicates that the surname was already established and in use during the medieval period in England.

In the 14th century, the name SPELLS began to appear in various official documents and records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire from 1332, where it was written as "Spelles." This variation in spelling was common during that era due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable individual bearing the surname SPELLS was John Spelles, who was mentioned in the Patent Rolls of 1458 as a merchant from London. Another early reference is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1523, which lists a Richard Spelles as a taxpayer.

The SPELLS surname has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Spellsbury, a hamlet in Oxfordshire. This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

Among the notable figures with the surname SPELLS throughout history, one can mention:

1. Sir Richard Spells (1572-1646), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Westbury during the reign of King Charles I.
2. Elizabeth Spells (1633-1692), a renowned herbalist and healer from Dorset, known for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants.
3. Thomas Spells (1701-1778), a prominent merchant and shipowner from Bristol, who played a significant role in the city's maritime trade during the 18th century.
4. William Spells (1813-1886), a celebrated landscape painter from Yorkshire, whose works captured the beauty of the English countryside.
5. Mary Spells (1855-1931), a pioneering educator and suffragette who campaigned for women's rights and access to education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the surname SPELLS may not be as common today, its historical roots and connections to various regions and individuals across England provide a rich tapestry of stories and legacies woven into the fabric of British history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Spells

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

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

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

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