Palffy
An aristocratic Hungarian surname derived from a place name or estate.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Palffy. That puts it at #149,395 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Palffy surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#149,395
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
110
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 110 bearers of the surname Palffy in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 149395th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Palffy, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Palffy
The surname Palffy originated in Hungary and dates back to the 16th century. It is believed to have been derived from the Hungarian word "pálfa," which means "young palm tree" or "palm branch." The name likely referred to a person who lived near palm trees or carried a palm branch as a symbol.
The earliest known records of the Palffy name can be found in the Hungarian county of Pozsony (now Bratislava, Slovakia) in the late 1500s. The name was associated with nobility and landowners in this region. One of the earliest documented individuals with the Palffy surname was Mikuláš Palffy (1552-1600), a Hungarian nobleman and military leader who fought against the Ottoman Empire.
In the 17th century, the Palffy family gained significant influence and wealth through their military service and landholdings. János Palffy (1663-1751) was a prominent military commander who served as the Governor of Hungary and played a crucial role in the Great Turkish War. His son, Miklós Palffy (1710-1773), was also a notable figure who held the position of Lord Chief Justice of Hungary.
The Palffy name can be found in various historical records, including the Codex Diplomaticus Hungariae, which contains medieval charters and documents related to Hungarian history. The name has also been associated with several aristocratic families in Hungary and Slovakia, such as the Palffy de Erdöd and Palffy de Vázsonykö families.
One of the most renowned individuals with the Palffy surname was Count János Palffy (1804-1857), a Hungarian statesman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Hungary from 1848 to 1849. He played a significant role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and advocated for greater autonomy for Hungary within the Austrian Empire.
Another notable figure was Count Miklós Palffy (1836-1924), a Hungarian nobleman and politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture and later as the Minister of National Defense in the early 20th century. He was also a prominent landowner and patron of the arts, supporting various cultural initiatives in Hungary.
Throughout history, the Palffy surname has been associated with nobility, military service, and landholdings, particularly in the regions of present-day Hungary and Slovakia. While the name may have undergone slight variations in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the Hungarian language and the symbolism of the palm tree or branch.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Palffy
Among Census respondents with the surname Palffy, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%.
The bar chart below shows how Palffy bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Palffy surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Palffy surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #149,395 | #149,395 | 0.0% |
| Count | 110 | 110 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Palffy bearers went from 110 to 110 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #149,395 to #149,395.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Palffy
FAQ
Palffy surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Palffy?
The surname Palffy holds position #149,395 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Palffy surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Palffy, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.5%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.