Origin & Meaning of the Kells Surname
What does the last name Kells mean?
The surname Kells carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,778 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Kells ranks as the #16,238 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Kells come from?
The Kells surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown 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 Kells name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Kells trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Kells |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #16,238 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,778 |
| Per 100K People | 0.6 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of Kells
According to the US Census, the Kells surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,778 Americans with the Kells last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 80.88% |
| Black | 7.76% |
| Hispanic | 6.36% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.42% |
| Native American | 0.67% |
| Two or More Races | 1.91% |
Popularity of Kells Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Kells surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Kells surname increased by 522 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Kells
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Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Kells.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kells
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