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

Peil, 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 Peil surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Peil in America

Peil is the 20057th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peil surname appeared 1,333 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Peil.

We can also compare 2010 data for Peil 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 Peil

The surname PEIL has its origins rooted in Germany, with its earliest known usage dating back to the 16th century. The name is derived from the German word "peil," which translates to "depth measurement" or "sounding line." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with professions related to maritime activities or measuring depths.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the PEIL surname can be found in the historical records of the city of Hamburg, where a merchant named Johann PEIL is mentioned in a trade document dated 1567. Another notable early record comes from the town of Lübeck, where a carpenter named Hans PEIL is recorded as having lived and worked in the late 16th century.

In terms of geographical distribution, the surname PEIL was predominantly concentrated in northern Germany, particularly in the regions surrounding the cities of Hamburg and Lübeck. However, as time progressed, families bearing this name gradually spread to other parts of Germany and neighboring countries.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname PEIL was Wilhelm PEIL, born in 1602 in the city of Bremen. He was a respected shipwright and is credited with contributing to the design and construction of several notable vessels during his lifetime.

Another noteworthy figure was Anna PEIL (1685-1758), a renowned herbalist and apothecary who lived in the town of Rostock. Her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and her contributions to the field of herbal remedies earned her considerable recognition during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the PEIL surname was Carl PEIL (1818-1892), a prominent architect who played a significant role in the design and construction of several iconic buildings in Berlin. His most famous work is the Prussian State Library, which stands as a testament to his architectural prowess.

Moving into the 20th century, Ernst PEIL (1903-1985) was a distinguished German physicist who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. His research and publications on particle accelerators and nuclear reactions were widely acclaimed within the scientific community.

It is also worth mentioning that the PEIL surname has undergone various spelling variations over time, such as Peil, Peill, Peile, and Peile. Additionally, some historical records may include alternative spellings or variations due to regional dialects or scribal errors.

Overall, the surname PEIL has a rich heritage spanning several centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the northern regions of Germany. While the name's meaning and origins are closely tied to maritime professions and depth measurements, individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Peil

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

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

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

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