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

Pennywell, 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 Pennywell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pennywell in America

Pennywell is the 33645th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pennywell surname appeared 677 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 Pennywell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pennywell 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 Pennywell

The surname Pennywell is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, referring to a place or settlement where the family resided. The name is derived from the Old English words "penig" meaning penny, and "well" meaning a spring or stream, suggesting that the name may have been associated with a location near a spring or stream where a toll or fee was collected.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Penigwelle." This ancient record provides valuable insights into the history and distribution of surnames during the Norman conquest of England. The presence of the name in this important document indicates that the Pennywell family had already established itself in certain regions of England by the late 11th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, various spellings of the name emerged, including Peniwell, Penniewelle, and Pennywell. These variations reflect the evolution of language and the inconsistencies in spelling conventions at the time. It is worth noting that the name may have been associated with specific place names, such as Pennywell in Somerset or Pennywell in County Durham, both of which were recorded in historical documents from that era.

One notable figure bearing the Pennywell surname was Sir John Pennywell, a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry who lived in the late 14th century. Records indicate that he held estates in Gloucestershire and played a role in local governance during the reign of Richard II (1367-1400).

Another individual of historical significance was Elizabeth Pennywell, born in 1562, who was a prominent figure in the English Protestant Reformation. She was known for her dedication to the cause of religious reform and her advocacy for the translation of the Bible into the vernacular language.

In the 17th century, the Pennywell family gained recognition through the accomplishments of Thomas Pennywell (1616-1688), a renowned architect and master builder. He was responsible for the construction of several notable churches and public buildings in London, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

Moving forward to the 18th century, we encounter William Pennywell (1735-1804), a respected scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral. His extensive writings on religious doctrine and philosophy gained widespread acclaim during his lifetime.

Lastly, in the 19th century, the name Pennywell was associated with Sir Richard Pennywell (1820-1892), a prominent industrialist and philanthropist. He made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in northern England and was recognized for his efforts in improving the living conditions of factory workers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pennywell

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

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

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

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