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

Stilwell, 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 Stilwell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Stilwell in America

Stilwell is the 5655th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stilwell surname appeared 6,138 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 Stilwell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Stilwell 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 Stilwell

The surname Stilwell has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "stilla" meaning "quiet" or "still" and "well" referring to a source of water, suggesting a connection to a peaceful body of water or a tranquil dwelling near a well.

In early records, the name appeared with various spellings such as Stillewell, Stylwell, and Stilewell, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a person named Thomas de Stillewell is mentioned.

The Stilwell name is believed to have originated in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk in eastern England, where some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found. It is also associated with place names like Stilwell in Norfolk, which may have contributed to the formation of the surname.

One notable bearer of the Stilwell name was Silas M. Stilwell, an American military officer who served in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. He was born in 1819 and played a significant role in the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863.

Another prominent figure was John Stilwell, a 17th-century English composer and organist who lived from around 1625 to 1675. He served as the organist at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford and contributed to the development of English church music during his lifetime.

In the realm of literature, Myra H. Stilwell (1868-1935) was an American novelist and short story writer known for her works set in the American West, including "The Calico Cat" and "The Guardians of the Trail."

Sir John Stilwell (1887-1975) was a British Army officer who served in both World Wars and was knighted for his military service. He played a crucial role in the Burma Campaign during World War II and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Lastly, Winthrop Stilwell (1921-2007) was an American artist and sculptor renowned for his abstract metal sculptures. He was born in Massachusetts and had works exhibited in several prominent museums and galleries throughout his career.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Stilwell throughout history, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments associated with this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stilwell

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

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

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

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