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

Pegram, 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 Pegram surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pegram in America

Pegram is the 7907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pegram surname appeared 4,185 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 Pegram.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pegram 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 Pegram

The surname Pegram is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the early medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English words "pecc" and "grama," which together translate to "woodpecker." It is believed that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a prominent or notable tree, possibly one frequented by woodpeckers.

The earliest recorded instances of the Pegram surname can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, primarily concentrated in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in eastern England. One notable early record is that of John Pegram, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Norfolk in 1332.

During the Middle Ages, the Pegram name appeared in several variations, including Pekgrame, Pekgrom, and Peckgram, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings during that time. Some of these early spellings may have been influenced by regional dialects or the personal preferences of scribes who recorded the name.

In the 16th century, the Pegram surname gained recognition through the exploits of Sir Edward Pegram (c. 1530-1588), an English military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the suppression of the Northern Rebellion in 1569 and later served as the Governor of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Another notable figure bearing the Pegram surname was George Pegram (c. 1580-1631), a British merchant and colonist who was among the early settlers of Virginia in the early 17th century. He was involved in the establishment of the colony and served as a member of the Virginia Company of London.

In the 18th century, the Pegram family gained prominence in the American colonies, particularly in Virginia. One prominent individual was William Pegram (1707-1788), a planter and landowner who served as a vestryman and church warden in Brunswick County, Virginia.

During the American Civil War, the Pegram name was carried by several notable military figures, including John Pegram (1832-1916), a Confederate Army officer who fought in various battles and campaigns throughout the conflict. His brother, Robert Baker Pegram (1839-1923), also served as a Confederate officer and later pursued a career in law and education.

Throughout its history, the Pegram surname has been associated with various locations, particularly in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk in England, as well as in parts of Virginia and other Southern states in the United States. The name has endured for centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences that have shaped its evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pegram

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

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

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

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