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

Trunnell, 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 Trunnell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Trunnell in America

Trunnell is the 31906th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Trunnell surname appeared 723 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 Trunnell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Trunnell 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 Trunnell

The surname Trunnell is believed to have originated in England, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "trunian," meaning "to turn" or "to roll," possibly referring to an occupation or profession related to woodworking or metalworking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a John Trunel is mentioned. This document, a survey of landowners and tenants in England, suggests that the name was already well-established by the late 13th century.

The Trunnell surname has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Trunnell Farm in Gloucestershire and Trunnell Hill in Shropshire. These locations may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various records, including the Poll Tax of Yorkshire from 1379, which listed a Thomas Trunnell as a taxpayer. This record provides valuable insight into the geographic distribution of the name during that period.

Notable individuals with the surname Trunnell throughout history include:

1. Sir Richard Trunnell (c. 1525-1591), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the City of London.

2. John Trunnell (1620-1679), a Puritan minister and author from Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his sermons and writings on religious topics.

3. Thomas Trunnell (1672-1744), an English mathematician and astronomer who contributed to the development of celestial navigation techniques.

4. Elizabeth Trunnell (1785-1856), a prominent British abolitionist and advocate for the education of women, who worked alongside William Wilberforce and other notable figures in the anti-slavery movement.

5. James Trunnell (1823-1897), an American Civil War veteran who served in the Union Army and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg.

While the Trunnell surname may not be as widely recognized today, its historical roots and connection to various occupations, places, and notable individuals offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of English and American history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Trunnell

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

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

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

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