Pembroke
A habitational name for someone from Pembroke in West Wales.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 857 Americans carry the last name Pembroke. That puts it at #31,873 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.25 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 399,947 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Pembroke 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
857
1 in 399,947
Census rank
#31,873
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
724
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 724 bearers of the surname Pembroke in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.25 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 31873rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Pembroke, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.2%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Pembroke
The surname Pembroke originated in England during the medieval period, deriving its name from the town of Pembroke in Wales. The name itself is a combination of the Welsh words "pen" meaning "head" and "bro" meaning "landing place" or "territory," referring to the location of the town at the head of a peninsula in Pembrokeshire.
The earliest recorded references to the surname Pembroke can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including Penbroc and Pembroc, reflecting the evolution of the spelling over time.
One of the earliest known individuals bearing the surname Pembroke was Walter de Pembroke, who lived in the 12th century and served as a knight under King Henry II. He was granted lands in Pembrokeshire and played a significant role in the Welsh Marches, the border region between England and Wales.
Another notable figure with the Pembroke surname was Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke (c. 1265-1324), a powerful nobleman and military commander during the reigns of Edward I and Edward II. He was involved in various conflicts, including the Scottish Wars of Independence and the Baronial Wars against the Crown.
In the 15th century, Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke (1431-1495), was a prominent figure and the uncle of King Henry VII. He played a crucial role in the Wars of the Roses and was instrumental in securing the Tudor dynasty's claim to the English throne.
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (c. 1501-1570), was a prominent courtier and statesman during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I. He held several important positions, including Lord President of Wales and Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.
Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), a renowned poet, courtier, and soldier, was also a member of the Pembroke family. He was closely associated with the court of Elizabeth I and is remembered for his influential works, including "Astrophel and Stella" and "The Defence of Poesy."
Throughout its history, the Pembroke surname has been closely tied to the town and region of Pembrokeshire in Wales, reflecting the ancestral roots and territorial connections of those who bore the name. The name's enduring presence in historical records and its association with notable figures underscore its significance in English and Welsh history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Pembroke
Among Census respondents with the surname Pembroke, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.2%) and Two or More Races (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Pembroke 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 Pembroke surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.8%
- Black or African American7.2%
- Two or more races2.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Pembroke 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 | #31,873 | #31,873 | 0.0% |
| Count | 724 | 724 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Pembroke bearers went from 724 to 724 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #31,873 to #31,873.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Pembroke
FAQ
Pembroke surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Pembroke?
The surname Pembroke holds position #31,873 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 857 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.25 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Pembroke surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Pembroke, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.8%. The next largest groups are Black (7.2%) and Two or More Races (2.8%). 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.