Origin & Meaning of the Neil Surname
What does the last name Neil mean?
The surname Neil 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 10,228 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Neil ranks as the #3,496 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Neil come from?
The Neil 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 Neil name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Neil 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 | Neil |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #3,496 |
| US Count (2010) | 10,228 |
| Per 100K People | 3.47 |
| First Letter | N |
Ethnic Distribution of Neil
According to the US Census, the Neil surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 10,228 Americans with the Neil last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 80.09% |
| Black | 13.68% |
| Hispanic | 2.49% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.15% |
| Native American | 0.46% |
| Two or More Races | 2.12% |
Popularity of Neil Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Neil surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Neil surname increased by 1,019 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Neil
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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 Neil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neil
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