Explore the Family Name Sorel

The meaning of Sorel

1. French: nickname for a person with reddish hair, from a diminutive of Old French sor ‘chestnut’, a word of ancient Germanic origin, apparently referring originally to the color of dry leaves. 2. Altered form of French Chorel: nickname or occupational name from Old French chorel ‘chorister’, denoting a cantor. Compare Sorell, Sorelle, Sorrell, and Surrell. Some characteristic forenames: French Armand, Fernand, Monique, Pierre.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Sorel in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Sorel has slightly decreased between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Sorel was ranked 31,848th in terms of popularity, however, by 2010 it had dropped to 34,801st, marking a decline of 9.27%. The census data also shows that the number of people with the surname Sorel fell from 685 in 2000 to 649 in 2010, which signifies a decrease of 5.26%. Moreover, the proportion of individuals with the surname Sorel per 100,000 people also declined by 12% over this period.

20002010Change
Rank#31,848#34,801-9.27%
Count685649-5.26%
Proportion per 100k0.250.22-12%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Sorel

The Decennial U.S. Census data provides some interesting insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Sorel. In 2000, 88.61% identified as White, but this figure decreased to 83.20% by 2010. Conversely, those identifying as Black increased from 7.59% in 2000 to 10.79% in 2010. Individuals claiming two or more ethnicities grew significantly from just 1.90% in 2000 to 3.54% in 2010, an increase of 86.32%. While there were no respondents identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic in 2000, by 2010, 1.54% identified as Hispanic. Those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native fell from 0.88% in 2000 to none by 2010.

20002010Change
White88.61%83.2%-6.11%
Black7.59%10.79%42.16%
Two or More Races1.9%3.54%86.32%
Hispanic0%1.54%0%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0.88%0%0%