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

Penney, 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 Penney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Penney in America

Penney is the 5982nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Penney surname appeared 5,752 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Penney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Penney 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 Penney

The surname Penney has its origins in the United Kingdom, where it emerged as an English surname derived from the Old French word "pennier," meaning "maker or seller of pens." This occupational name first appeared in England in the late 12th century, with records indicating its presence in various regions, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Gloucestershire.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Penney can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1202, where a certain William le Pennier is mentioned. This record suggests that the name was already established in the region at the time. In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Penner, Pennere, and Pener, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period.

The Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire, a valuable source for medieval English history, recorded the name Penney in 1273. This document provides insights into the distribution of the surname across different counties and the social status of those bearing it. The Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297 also mention individuals with the surname Penney, indicating its presence in the northern regions of England.

As the surname spread across England, it became associated with various place names, such as Penney Stratford in Buckinghamshire and Penney Bridge in Lancashire. These locations likely derived their names from individuals bearing the Penney surname or from the occupation of pen-making itself.

Notable individuals throughout history who carried the surname Penney include:

1. John Penney (c. 1520-1593), an English politician and member of the Parliament of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Thomas Penney (1608-1675), an English Puritan clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Ipswich.
3. Edward Penney (1667-1737), a British naval officer and explorer who commanded several expeditions to the Arctic regions in the early 18th century.
4. John Penney (1739-1819), an English industrialist and entrepreneur who established a successful textile manufacturing business in Lancashire.
5. William Penney, Baron Penney (1909-1991), a British physicist and mathematician who played a significant role in the development of Britain's nuclear weapons program during the Cold War era.

While the surname Penney has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, such as Penny, Pennie, and Peny, its origins can be traced back to the occupational roots of pen-making in medieval England. The name's enduring presence in historical records and its association with notable figures highlight its rich heritage and enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Penney

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

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

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

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