Explore the Family Name Well
The meaning of Well
1. English (London): topographic name for someone who lived near a spring or stream, from Middle English well(e) ‘spring, stream, well’ (Old English well(a)). 2. German: from a short form of the personal names Wallo, Walilo. 3. German: nickname from Middle High German wël ‘round’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Well in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname 'Well' has seen a drop in popularity over the decade from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, 'Well' was ranked 20,817th most popular surname, but by 2010 it had slipped to 30,916th place, marking a decline of 48.51%. The total count of individuals with this surname also decreased from 1,179 in 2000 to 752 in 2010, a drop of 36.22%. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals with the surname 'Well' per 100,000 people also saw a significant decrease from 0.44 in 2000 to 0.25 in 2010, a fall of 43.18%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #20,817 | #30,916 | -48.51% |
| Count | 1,179 | 752 | -36.22% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.44 | 0.25 | -43.18% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Well
In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname 'Well'. In 2000, the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White (78.37%), followed by Black (16.12%). By 2010, while the White population still held a majority with 72.61%, there was a noticeable increase in the percentage of individuals identifying as Black, rising to 20.74%. The Hispanic demographic also saw growth, increasing by 56.96% from 2.37% in 2000 to 3.72% in 2010. However, the proportions of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native were either suppressed or reduced to zero for privacy reasons. The percentage of individuals identifying as two or more races declined slightly from 1.78% in 2000 to 1.33% in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 78.37% | 72.61% | -7.35% |
| Black | 16.12% | 20.74% | 28.66% |
| Hispanic | 2.37% | 3.72% | 56.96% |
| Two or More Races | 1.78% | 1.33% | -25.28% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.93% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.42% | 0% | 0% |