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

Parsons, 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 Parsons surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Parsons in America

Parsons is the 498th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Parsons surname appeared 67,310 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 23 people would have the surname Parsons.

We can also compare 2010 data for Parsons 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 Parsons

The surname Parsons is derived from the Old English word "parson," meaning a clergyman or a parish priest. It is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, when the clergy played a significant role in society.

The name Parsons first appeared in historical records around the 13th century, with one of the earliest known references being in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed a Richard le Persone from Gloucestershire. This early spelling variation, "Persone," highlights the connection to the clerical profession.

As the name spread throughout England, it took on various spellings, such as Parsons, Parson, and Pearson, reflecting regional differences in pronunciation and scribal practices. Some of the earliest recorded bearers of the name include William Parsons, a merchant from London, who lived in the late 13th century, and John Parsons, a landowner from Oxfordshire, mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1327.

The surname Parsons is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most famous was Sir Robert Parsons (1546-1610), an English Jesuit priest and writer who played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation movement. Another notable figure was Robert Parsons (1647-1714), an English mathematician and philosopher who contributed to the development of calculus.

In the United States, the Parsons surname has a long and distinguished history. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Joseph Parsons (1647-1729), a Puritan settler who arrived in Massachusetts in the 17th century and became a prominent landowner and community leader. Another notable American with the surname was Samuel Holden Parsons (1737-1789), a Revolutionary War general who fought alongside George Washington.

The Parsons surname has also been associated with several important literary figures, including Thomas William Parsons (1819-1892), an American poet and linguist, and Louisa Parsons (1881-1950), an English novelist and short story writer.

Throughout its history, the surname Parsons has maintained its connection to the clerical profession, as well as its English origins. While it has spread worldwide and taken on various spellings, it remains a prominent surname with a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Parsons

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

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

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

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