Explore the Family Name Meisel
The meaning of Meisel
1. German: metonymic occupational name for a woodcutter or carver, or a surgeon, from Middle High German meiʒel ‘chisel’, ‘instrument for treating a wound’. In some cases it has the meaning penis, an unflattering nickname for a philanderer. 2. South German: nickname for someone thought to resemble a mouse, from a diminutive of Middle High German mūs, German Maus. 3. Jewish (Ashkenazic): from the Yiddish personal name Mayzl, of uncertain origin.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Meisel in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname 'Meisel' has seen a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 14,701 and by 2010, it had dropped to 15,700 marking a change of -6.8%. Despite the drop in rank, the count of individuals carrying the surname slightly increased from 1,854 to 1,858 over the decade. The proportion per 100,000 people also saw a decrease from 0.69 to 0.63, a change of -8.7%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #14,701 | #15,700 | -6.8% |
| Count | 1,854 | 1,858 | 0.22% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.69 | 0.63 | -8.7% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Meisel
Regarding ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of individuals with the 'Meisel' surname identified as White in both 2000 and 2010, although the percentage dropped slightly from 96.66% to 94.62% during this period. Ethnic identities like Hispanic and Black saw significant growth with an increase of 70.86% and 64.41% respectively. The percentage of those identifying as two or more races also rose from 0.70% to 0.91%, marking a 30% increase. There were no recorded instances of the surname within the Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native categories for either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.66% | 94.62% | -2.11% |
| Hispanic | 1.51% | 2.58% | 70.86% |
| Black | 0.59% | 0.97% | 64.41% |
| Two or More Races | 0.7% | 0.91% | 30% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |