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

Pen, 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 Pen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pen in America

Pen is the 18971st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pen surname appeared 1,438 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 Pen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pen 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 Pen

The surname Pen originates from England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a topographic surname, derived from the Old English word "penne," meaning a hill or pen for livestock. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived near or worked at a hill or enclosure for animals.

One of the earliest references to the name Pen can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a William de la Penne in Oxfordshire. This early spelling variation, "de la Penne," further reinforces the topographic nature of the name and its association with a specific location or geographical feature.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, which mentions a John Penne. During this period, the name was also recorded with alternative spellings such as Penne, Penne, and Penne, reflecting the diverse pronunciations and regional variations common in medieval times.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Pen was John Pen (c. 1520 - 1558), an English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in Newbury, Berkshire, during the Marian Persecutions under the reign of Queen Mary I. His steadfast religious beliefs and tragic end have made him a notable figure in the history of the English Reformation.

Another prominent individual with the Pen surname was Sir William Pen (1621 - 1670), an English admiral and wealthy merchant. He was the founder of the Pen family's fortune and played a crucial role in the establishment of the colony of Pennsylvania, which was granted to his son, William Penn, by King Charles II in 1681.

In the literary realm, Edward Pen (1801 - 1886) was a noted English poet and playwright, known for his works such as "The Governess" and "The Wife's Remonstrance." His contributions to English literature have earned him a place in the annals of 19th-century poetry.

The Pen surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Pen Green in Buckinghamshire and Pen Mill in Somerset. These toponymic connections further solidify the surname's origins and its ties to specific geographic locations.

While the surname Pen may not be as widespread as some others, its long and varied history in England, spanning multiple centuries, provides a rich tapestry of stories and individuals who have contributed to the cultural and historical fabric of the nation.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pen

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!