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

Pennyfeather, 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 Pennyfeather surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pennyfeather in America

Pennyfeather is the 144141st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pennyfeather surname appeared 115 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 Pennyfeather.

The history of the last name Pennyfeather

The surname PENNYFEATHER is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the region of Yorkshire, where the name was derived from the Old English words "pen," meaning "hill," and "feather," which referred to a feathery or grassy area. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived near or on a grassy hill or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the PENNYFEATHER surname can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where it appears as "Pennyfethyr." This variation in spelling was common during that era, as standardized spelling had not yet been established.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various manorial records and parish registers across Yorkshire and neighboring counties. Notable individuals from this period include John Pennyfeather, who was born in the village of Stillingfleet, Yorkshire, in 1542, and his son, William Pennyfeather, who was baptized in the same village in 1573.

As the PENNYFEATHER family spread throughout England in subsequent centuries, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Pennifeather," "Penyfeather," and "Pennyfeather." One notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Pennyfeather (1678-1754), a successful merchant and landowner from Norfolk, who served as the Mayor of Norwich in 1720.

In the 18th century, the PENNYFEATHER surname appeared in several historical records, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of Yorkshire (1672-1694) and the Nottinghamshire Parish Registers (1754-1812). During this time, James Pennyfeather (1715-1792), a renowned landscape painter, gained recognition for his works depicting rural scenes across England.

As the industrial revolution took hold in the 19th century, many individuals with the PENNYFEATHER surname migrated from rural areas to cities in search of employment. One such individual was Robert Pennyfeather (1824-1901), a successful industrialist from Manchester, who played a pivotal role in the development of the city's textile industry.

Throughout its history, the PENNYFEATHER surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, artisans, merchants, and professionals. While the name may have originated from humble roots, it has become a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames, reflecting the diverse histories and experiences of those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pennyfeather

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

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

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

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