Peerce
An English surname likely derived from a place name or location.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Peerce. That puts it at #153,769 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Peerce surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#153,769
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
106
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 106 bearers of the surname Peerce in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 153769th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Peerce, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.6%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Peerce
The surname "PEERCE" is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place called Piers or Piers Hill in Oxfordshire. The name is thought to be a variant spelling of the Old English word "pyrs," which referred to a small field or enclosure.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Peirs" and "Piers." This suggests that the surname was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.
Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including "Peirce," "Pearce," and "Pearse." These variations often reflected the regional dialects and pronunciation preferences of different areas within England.
Notable individuals bearing the surname "PEERCE" include Sir Henry Peirce (1624-1691), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Charles II. Another prominent figure was James Peirce (1673-1726), an English dissenting minister and philosopher who contributed to the development of Unitarianism.
In the 18th century, Benjamin Peirce (1778-1831) was a prominent American mathematician and educator who served as the librarian of Harvard College. His son, Benjamin Osgood Peirce (1854-1914), followed in his footsteps and became a renowned mathematician and astronomer, making significant contributions to celestial mechanics.
Another noteworthy individual was Jonathan Peerce (1932-2015), an American operatic tenor who performed with the Metropolitan Opera and was renowned for his interpretations of Verdi and Puccini roles.
It is worth noting that the surname "PEERCE" is sometimes associated with certain place names in England, such as Peirse Farm in Kent and Peerston in Shropshire, further emphasizing its locational origins.
While the surname "PEERCE" may have evolved and experienced various spelling variations over time, its historical roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England, where it was likely derived from a place name and reflected the occupations or locations of its earliest bearers.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Peerce
Among Census respondents with the surname Peerce, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.6%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Peerce bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Peerce surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.6%
- Black or African American4.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Peerce surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #153,769 | #153,769 | 0.0% |
| Count | 106 | 106 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Peerce bearers went from 106 to 106 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #153,769 to #153,769.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Peerce
FAQ
Peerce surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Peerce?
The surname Peerce holds position #153,769 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Peerce surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Peerce, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.6%. The next largest groups are Black (4.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.