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

Peake, 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 Peake surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Peake in America

Peake is the 6594th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peake surname appeared 5,137 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Peake.

We can also compare 2010 data for Peake 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 Peake

The surname PEAKE is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, likely deriving from a place name or a topographical feature. One potential origin is the Old English word "peak," which referred to a pointed hill or mountain peak. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a prominent peak or in a hilly region.

Historically, the PEAKE surname has been found in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire. These areas are known for their rugged landscapes and mountainous terrain, lending credence to the theory of a topographical origin for the name.

In the famous Domesday Book, a record of landowners and properties compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, there are several entries mentioning individuals with the name PEAKE or similar spellings, such as "Pec" and "Peke." This indicates that the surname was already in use by the late 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PEAKE surname dates back to the 13th century, when a John del Peke was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219. The use of the prefix "del" suggests that he may have been from a place called Peke or a similar location.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Sir John Peake (c. 1330-1380), a English knight and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Derbyshire. He was also known for his involvement in the Hundred Years' War against France.

Another prominent individual with the PEAKE surname was Sir Robert Peake (c. 1592-1667), an English painter and writer who served as a picture-maker to King James I and King Charles I. He is remembered for his portraits of various members of the royal family and nobility.

During the 17th century, Thomas Peake (1637-1686) was a celebrated English playwright and author, best known for his comedic works such as "The Mulberry Garden" and "The Islington Husbandman."

In the 19th century, Robert Edmund Peake (1835-1905) was a renowned British architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and the Buxton Opera House.

Throughout its history, the PEAKE surname has also been associated with various place names and locations, such as Peakhill in Derbyshire, Peakland View in Yorkshire, and Peake's Parlour, a unique rock formation in the Peak District National Park.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Peake

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

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

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

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