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

Peeples, 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 Peeples surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Peeples in America

Peeples is the 4732nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peeples surname appeared 7,499 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Peeples.

We can also compare 2010 data for Peeples 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 Peeples

The surname Peeples is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "pȳpel," which referred to a small stream or brook, suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a small body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, where a Richard Pypelee is listed. This spelling variation, along with others such as Pippelay and Pippeley, provides insight into the evolving form of the surname over time.

In the 14th century, the name appears in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, where a John Pyppelay is mentioned in 1348. This record is significant as it demonstrates the widespread use of the name across different regions of England during this period.

The Peeples surname also has connections to various place names across England. For instance, the village of Pippley in Northamptonshire may have influenced the surname's spelling and pronunciation in certain areas.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Peeples surname. One such individual was William Peeples, a merchant and landowner who lived in London during the late 16th century. Another was John Peeples, a prominent artist from the 18th century, known for his exquisite landscape paintings.

In the 19th century, Sarah Peeples (1819-1903) was a respected educator and advocate for women's rights in the United States. Her contributions to the advancement of education for women were widely recognized during her lifetime.

Another noteworthy figure was Robert Peeples (1870-1942), an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the Peeples Trading Company, which played a significant role in the import and export trade between the United States and Latin America.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of James Peeples (1922-2008), a renowned jazz pianist and composer who was celebrated for his innovative and influential style. His music left a lasting impact on the jazz scene of the 20th century.

Overall, the surname Peeples has a rich history that spans centuries and crosses geographical boundaries, with its origins deeply rooted in the English language and landscape. From its humble beginnings as a descriptor of one's proximity to a small stream, the name has evolved and been carried by individuals who have made their mark in various fields throughout the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Peeples

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

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

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

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