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

Penič, 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 Penič surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Penič in America

Penič is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Penič surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Penič.

The history of the last name Penič

The surname Penic has its roots in Central Europe, with the most likely origin being in the region now known as Slovenia. This surname dates back to at least the medieval period. The name is derived from the Slavic word "pen," which means "foam" or "froth", possibly relating to an occupation or characteristic associated with brewing or the production of some fizzy beverage.

Historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries provide some of the earliest mentions of the surname Penic in various manuscripts and legal documents within the Slovene territories. In medieval Slovenia, surnames were often derived from nicknames or descriptive terms, and Penic can be viewed in this light. One of the oldest references is found in a 1324 tax record from the Carniola region, mentioning a certain Ivan Penic, an apparent landholder.

By the 15th century, variations of the surname Penic began to appear in nearby regions, including parts of Croatia and Austria, as families moved and settled in different areas due to political and economic changes. In 1472, a record from Zagreb mentions a merchant named Jure Penic, indicating that the name was also carried to other Slavic regions through trade relationships.

As we move forward in history, the name appears in various documents. In 1605, a Johann Penic is recorded as a witness in a legal dispute in Graz, Austria. By the 18th century, spelling variations such as Penicz or Penitsch emerged, showing the name's adaptation to different linguistic and cultural environments.

The surname Penic also appears in historical military records. One notable instance is in the Napoleonic Wars, where a Captain Stefan Penic, born in 1786, served with distinction in the Austrian army. His career is well-documented in military dispatches from 1809, highlighting his participation in key battles fought in the Danubian plains.

Significantly, the name Penic is linked to academia in the late 19th century. A prominent scholar, Dr. Matej Penic (1853-1911), made substantial contributions to Slavic studies and linguistics. His work is still referenced in academic circles and illustrates the surname's bearers' shift from mercantile and military occupations to intellectual pursuits.

In summary, the surname Penic has a rich and diverse history that spans Central Europe. It traces its origins back to the medieval Slovenian linguistic and cultural context and evolves through various periods, reflecting the migrations and transformations of its bearers. Historical figures like Ivan Penic, Jure Penic, Johann Penic, Captain Stefan Penic, and Dr. Matej Penic mark its legacy across different domains, from governance and trade to military service and academic scholarship.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Penič

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Penič 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.

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

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

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