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

Payn, 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 Payn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Payn in America

Payn is the 88685th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Payn surname appeared 209 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 Payn.

We can also compare 2010 data for Payn 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 Payn

The surname Payn originated in the region of ancient Normandy in France during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "paganus" meaning "peasant" or "villager". This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in a rural area or worked as a farmer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Payn can be found in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Paine". This comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror lists several individuals with this surname, indicating their presence in the country following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Ralph Payn served as the Sheriff of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. His name appears in various administrative records and charters from that time period. Around the same era, a knight named Sir Thomas Payn fought in the Third Crusade under King Richard I, earning recognition for his bravery in battle.

The Payn surname also had variations in spelling over the centuries, including Payne, Paine, and Payan. These differences often reflected regional dialects or scribal inconsistencies in record-keeping. In some cases, the name was associated with particular place names, such as Painswick in Gloucestershire or Payne's Place in Kent.

One prominent individual with the Payn surname was Robert Payn, a wealthy merchant and alderman in the City of London during the 14th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1349 and played a significant role in the city's governance during a tumultuous period marked by the Black Death pandemic.

Another noteworthy figure was William Payn, a scholar and theologian who lived in the 15th century. He attended the University of Oxford and later became a Fellow of Merton College. His writings on religious topics and philosophical treatises were well-regarded during his lifetime.

In the 16th century, Sir Ralph Payne, born in 1512, was a prominent English soldier and statesman who served under King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. He held various influential positions, including Governor of the Isle of Wight and a member of the Privy Council.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the Payn surname who left their mark on history through their accomplishments and contributions to various fields. The name's origins can be traced back to medieval Normandy, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultural influences that have shaped the English language and its surnames over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Payn

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

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

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

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