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

Parry, 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 Parry surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Parry in America

Parry is the 3383rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Parry surname appeared 10,555 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Parry.

We can also compare 2010 data for Parry 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 Parry

The surname Parry originated in Wales, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Welsh word "parry," which means "to go through" or "to pass." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a pass or traveled frequently through mountain passes.

The name Parry is found in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Pari." This early spelling variation highlights the name's Welsh roots and its evolution over time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Parry was Rhys ap Harry, a Welsh landowner who lived in the 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Parry (c. 1515-1560), a Welsh diplomat and member of the Privy Council of Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Parry family established themselves as prominent landowners and gentry in several counties of Wales, including Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Montgomeryshire. The name was also associated with several place names in Wales, such as Parry's Court in Monmouthshire.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Parry was Sir William Edward Parry (1790-1855), a renowned British naval officer and Arctic explorer. He led several expeditions to the Arctic regions in the early 19th century and made significant contributions to the mapping of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Another notable figure was Joseph Parry (1841-1903), a Welsh composer and musician who is best known for his choral works and operas. He played a significant role in the revival of Welsh music and culture during the late 19th century.

Other individuals with the surname Parry who left their mark on history include Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918), an English composer and teacher who was influential in the renaissance of English music; Caleb Hillier Parry (1755-1822), a Welsh physician and writer; and John Parry (c. 1776-1851), a Welsh-born American explorer and trader who played a crucial role in the early fur trade in the Rocky Mountains.

The surname Parry has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, explorers, composers, and diplomats, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who carried this Welsh name through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Parry

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

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 Parry 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 Parry 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 Parry was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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