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

Peay, 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 Peay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Peay in America

Peay is the 9919th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peay surname appeared 3,256 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Peay.

We can also compare 2010 data for Peay 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 Peay

The surname PEAY is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be traced to the county of Sussex, where it was likely derived from a place name or topographical feature.

One theory suggests that PEAY is a variant spelling of the Old English word "pea," which referred to a small stream or brook. This could indicate that the name's earliest bearers may have lived near a notable pea or stream. Alternatively, it could be a locative surname denoting a place where peas were grown or cultivated.

In the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are references to various place names that may have influenced the surname PEAY. For instance, the village of Pevensey in Sussex is mentioned, and it's possible that the name PEAY evolved from a similar-sounding place name.

One of the earliest known individuals with the PEAY surname was John Peay, who was born in Sussex around 1450. He was a landowner and farmer, and his descendants continued to reside in the region for several generations.

Another notable figure was Sir William Peay (1560-1635), a wealthy merchant and member of the East India Company. He played a significant role in establishing trade routes and expanding British influence in the Indian subcontinent.

During the 17th century, the PEAY surname began to spread beyond Sussex, with families settling in other parts of England and Wales. One such individual was Thomas Peay (1620-1687), a Puritan minister who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638 and became a prominent figure in the early days of colonial New England.

In the 18th century, the PEAY name gained further recognition with the birth of Sir Robert Peay (1745-1822), a renowned military officer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his valor and leadership on the battlefield.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Peay (1785-1867), a philanthropist and social reformer who dedicated her life to improving the living conditions of the poor and advocating for women's rights. She was instrumental in establishing several charitable organizations and schools in her hometown of Bristol.

As the PEAY surname continued to spread across different regions and countries, variations in spelling emerged, including Pey, Paye, and Pea. However, the core meaning and origins of the name remained rooted in its English heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Peay

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

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

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

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