Explore the Family Name Distel
The meaning of Distel
1. German, North German, and Dutch: topographic name for someone who lived by a patch of ground overgrown with thistles, or perhaps a nickname for a ‘prickly’ person, from Middle High German, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch distel ‘thistle’. 2. Jewish (Ashkenazic): probably in most cases an unflattering name bestowed on Jews by non-Jewish government officials in 18th- and 19th-century Central Europe.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Distel in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Distel has seen a slight decrease in popularity over the past decade. In 2000, it was ranked 26,104th in the United States, but by 2010 it had dropped to the 27,950th spot, marking a decline of approximately 7.07%. The number of individuals with this surname also fell from 882 in 2000 to 858 in 2010, a decrease of about 2.72%. Correspondingly, the proportion of Distels per 100,000 people in the country dipped by 12.12%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,104 | #27,950 | -7.07% |
| Count | 882 | 858 | -2.72% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.33 | 0.29 | -12.12% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Distel
As for the ethnic identity associated with the surname Distel, the Decennial U.S. Census data show a majority of those bearing it identifying as White. In 2000, roughly 97.51% identified as such, and this figure slightly declined to 96.85% by 2010. Meanwhile, the Hispanic identity saw a small increase from 1.70% to 1.75% over the same period. Notably, there were no individuals who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native either in 2000 or 2010. However, in 2010, the category of two or more races appeared for the first time, representing 0.58% of those with the Distel surname.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97.51% | 96.85% | -0.68% |
| Hispanic | 1.7% | 1.75% | 2.94% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0.58% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |