Find out how popular the last name Palmeter is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Palmeter.

Palmeter, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Palmeter surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Palmeter in America

Palmeter is the 69170th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Palmeter surname appeared 284 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Palmeter.

We can also compare 2010 data for Palmeter to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Palmeter

The surname Palmeter is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "palm" and "aetor," which together mean "palm bearer" or "palm carrier." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, referring to someone who carried palm fronds during religious ceremonies or processions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Palmeter surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Palmatour." This entry indicates that the name was already in use by the late 11th century in parts of England.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, such as "Palmeter," "Palmiter," and "Palmyter." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

In the 16th century, the surname Palmeter began to appear in parish records and other official documents across various counties in England, including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire. This suggests that the name had spread from its original location and become more widely dispersed.

One notable individual bearing the Palmeter surname was Thomas Palmeter, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Gloucestershire during the late 16th century. Records show that he owned several properties and was involved in local government affairs.

Another individual of note was John Palmeter, born in 1675 in Oxfordshire. He was a respected scholar and author who wrote extensively on topics related to theology and philosophy.

In the 18th century, the surname Palmeter began to appear in various parts of North America, likely due to migration from England. One early bearer of the name in the American colonies was William Palmeter, who was born in 1724 in Massachusetts and served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Palmeter, born in 1792 in Virginia. She was a prominent abolitionist and advocate for women's rights, actively campaigning against slavery and for equal opportunities for women in education and employment.

By the 19th century, the Palmeter surname had become well-established in various regions of the United States and Canada, with several individuals achieving prominence in various fields. One such individual was James Palmeter, born in 1819 in Ontario, Canada, who became a successful businessman and philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes in his community.

Overall, the surname Palmeter has a rich history dating back to medieval England, with its roots possibly linked to an occupational role related to religious ceremonies. Over the centuries, the name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving an indelible mark on various aspects of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Palmeter

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Palmeter.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Palmeter was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Palmeter has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Palmeter was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Palmeter, please contact us.

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