Origin & Meaning of the Tell Surname
What does the last name Tell mean?
The surname Tell 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 1,536 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Tell ranks as the #18,128 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Tell come from?
The Tell 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 Tell name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Tell 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 | Tell |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #18,128 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,536 |
| Per 100K People | 0.52 |
| First Letter | T |
Ethnic Distribution of Tell
According to the US Census, the Tell surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,536 Americans with the Tell last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 59.44% |
| Black | 29.95% |
| Hispanic | 4.69% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2.28% |
| Native American | 0.39% |
| Two or More Races | 3.26% |
Popularity of Tell Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Tell surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Tell surname decreased by 126 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Tell Ancestry
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Similar Surnames to Tell
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Tell.
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 Tell.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tell
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