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

Pendley, 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 Pendley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pendley in America

Pendley is the 7874th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pendley surname appeared 4,203 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 Pendley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pendley 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 Pendley

The surname Pendley originates from England, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "pyndan," meaning to enclose or pen, and "leah," referring to a meadow or clearing. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with a particular location or settlement surrounded by an enclosure or fence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Pendelai." This entry provides valuable insight into the name's existence during the Norman conquest of England. Over time, various spellings emerged, such as Pendeley, Pendlie, and Pendleigh, reflecting the fluidity of name transcription in those times.

The name Pendley has ties to several place names in England, including Pendley in Hertfordshire and Pendley in Tring, also in Hertfordshire. These locations likely served as the origin points for individuals who adopted the surname based on their place of residence or birth.

Among the notable figures bearing the Pendley surname throughout history is Sir George Pendley (1555-1623), a renowned English jurist and member of Parliament during the reign of James I. Another prominent individual was John Pendley (1673-1744), a successful merchant and landowner in Virginia, who played a significant role in the colony's economic development.

In the literary realm, the name Pendley is associated with Thomas Pendley (1726-1799), an English poet and satirist whose works offered insightful commentary on the sociopolitical landscape of his time. Additionally, William Pendley (1818-1892), a respected English architect, left a lasting impact on the built environment with his notable designs.

The Pendley surname also has roots in the military, with Captain Robert Pendley (1795-1862) earning recognition for his valor and service during the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War.

While the name Pendley may have evolved and dispersed across various regions over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the English countryside, where it likely emerged as a reference to a particular enclosed settlement or meadow.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pendley

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

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

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

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