Perez
A Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Pedro" or "son of Peter."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 792,037 Americans carry the last name Perez. That puts it at #22 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 231.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 433 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Perez surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
792K
1 in 433
Census rank
#22
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
231.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
682K
very common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 681,645 bearers of the surname Perez in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 231.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 22nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Perez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 93.0%. The next largest groups are White (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Perez
The surname Perez originated in Spain and is derived from the Latin name Petrus, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Peter".
The earliest recorded use of the surname Perez dates back to the 11th century in the regions of Castile and Aragon. It was commonly used among Spanish Jews and Moors during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest known references to the surname Perez can be found in the 13th-century work "Primera Crónica General" by Alfonso X, the King of Castile and León. This chronicle mentions several individuals with the surname Perez.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, such as the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt) commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile. This book listed several individuals with the surname Perez who were involved in hunting expeditions.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Perez was Gonzalo Perez, a 14th-century Spanish nobleman and military leader who served under King Alfonso XI during the Reconquista.
Another notable figure with the surname Perez was Pedro Perez, a 15th-century Spanish poet and playwright who was part of the literary movement known as the "Cancionero" in Castile.
During the 16th century, the surname Perez gained prominence with individuals like Antonio Perez (1540-1611), a Spanish statesman and secretary to King Philip II. He played a significant role in the Aragonese Revolt against the Spanish monarchy.
In the 17th century, Juan Perez de Montalban (1602-1638), a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright, became one of the most renowned figures with the surname Perez. He was a prominent figure of the Spanish Golden Age of literature.
Another notable individual was José Perez de Rubí (1760-1847), a Spanish military officer and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1847 to 1848.
As the surname Perez spread across the Spanish-speaking world, it became associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Perez de la Frontera and Perez de Arroyo.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Perez
Among Census respondents with the surname Perez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 93.0%. The next largest groups are White (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Perez bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Perez surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino93.0%
- White5.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.2%
- Black or African American0.5%
- Two or more races0.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Perez surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22 | #22 | 0.0% |
| Count | 681,645 | 681,645 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 231.08 | 231.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Perez bearers went from 681,645 to 681,645 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #22 to #22.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Perez
FAQ
Perez surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Perez?
The surname Perez holds position #22 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 792,037 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 231.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Perez surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Perez, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 93.0%. The next largest groups are White (5.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.