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

Townsell, 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 Townsell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Townsell in America

Townsell is the 27331st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Townsell surname appeared 884 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 Townsell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Townsell 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 Townsell

The surname Townsell originated in England during the late medieval period, specifically in the counties of Essex and Suffolk. It is derived from the Old English words "tun," meaning an enclosed homestead or village, and "sæl," meaning a hall or dwelling. The name likely emerged as a locational surname, referring to someone who resided in a town or village with a notable hall or manor house.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex, dated 1327, where a John Towneshell is listed. This early spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surname spellings in that era, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

In the 15th century, records show a William Townesell residing in the parish of Great Dunmow, Essex, in the year 1436. This area was known for its historic market town and the ecclesiastical activity surrounding the Priory of Little Dunmow.

The Townsell surname has a strong connection to the town of Thaxted in Essex, where it is believed to have originated from the Old English "Tæccedestun," meaning "the tun or homestead of a man called Tæcca." In the 16th century, a prominent figure named Robert Townsell (c. 1510-1556) was a wealthy landowner and benefactor in Thaxted, contributing significantly to the town's development.

Another noteworthy individual was Sir Roger Townsend (1588-1637), a prominent English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for West Looe in Cornwall. He was also involved in the colonization efforts in Virginia and was a member of the Virginia Company.

In the realm of literature, Henry Townshend (1580-1649) was an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "The Doctrine of Humility" and "The Pearle of Praise."

Moving forward in time, James Townshend (1737-1811) was a British officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and later became a Member of Parliament for West Looe.

It is worth noting that the Townsell surname has evolved over time, with various spellings such as Townshend, Townsend, and Townsell being used interchangeably. While the name has roots in Essex and Suffolk, it has since spread throughout England and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Townsell

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

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

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

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