Cardwell — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #3,037 in the US 11,791 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#3,037
▼ Down 159 since 2000
People in the US
11,791
4.0 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Cardwell Surname

What does the last name Cardwell mean?

The surname Cardwell carries the meaning "From a spring or stream." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 11,791 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cardwell ranks as the #3,037 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Cardwell come from?

The Cardwell surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cardwell name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Cardwell trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Cardwell
Meaning From a spring or stream
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #3,037
US Count (2010) 11,791
Per 100K People 4.0
First Letter C

Ethnic Distribution of Cardwell

According to the US Census, the Cardwell surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 11,791 Americans with the Cardwell last name.

White 82.0%
Black 12.39%
Hispanic 2.45%
Asian/PI 0.38%
Native American 0.67%
Two+ Races 2.1%
Ethnic distribution of the Cardwell surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White82.0%
Black12.39%
Hispanic2.45%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.38%
Native American0.67%
Two or More Races2.1%

Popularity of Cardwell Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cardwell surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#2,878
11,450 people
Down 159
Census 2010
#3,037
11,791 people

The number of Americans with the Cardwell surname increased by 341 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Cardwell Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cardwell ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Cardwell

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cardwell.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Cardwell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardwell

The surname Cardwell is of English origin. From a spring or stream
The surname Cardwell is ranked #3,037 in the United States with approximately 11,791 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
From a spring or stream. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Cardwell surname is distributed as: 82.0% White, 12.4% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Cardwell ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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