Explore the Family Name Fels
The meaning of Fels
1. German: topographic name for someone who lived near high ground or by a prominent crag, from Middle High German vels ‘rock, cliff’. 2. Jewish (Ashkenazic): artificial name from German Fels ‘rock’. Some characteristic forenames: German Klaus, Kurt, Sieglinde, Wolfgang.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Fels in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data on surname popularity, Fels saw a slight decrease in its rank and count from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, Fels was ranked 28,118 and had a count of 802. However, by 2010, the surname had dropped to the 31,150th rank with a count of 745, representing a change of -10.78 in rank and -7.11 in count. The proportion per 100k also decreased by 16.67, going from 0.3 in 2000 to 0.25 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #28,118 | #31,150 | -10.78% |
| Count | 802 | 745 | -7.11% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.3 | 0.25 | -16.67% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Fels
The Decennial U.S. Census data on ethnicity associated with the surname Fels shows some shifts between 2000 and 2010. While there was no recorded Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native heritage associated with the name, other ethnicities saw changes. The percentage of people with the surname Fels identifying as White decreased slightly from 94.51% in 2000 to 92.89% in 2010. Those identifying as Black or having two or more races increased by 14.97% and 30.65% respectively. Meanwhile, those identifying as Hispanic saw the most significant increase, jumping from 2.24% in 2000 to 3.36% in 2010, a 50% rise.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 94.51% | 92.89% | -1.71% |
| Hispanic | 2.24% | 3.36% | 50% |
| Black | 1.87% | 2.15% | 14.97% |
| Two or More Races | 0.62% | 0.81% | 30.65% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |