Peterson
Derived from the given name Peter, meaning "rock" or "stone," combined with the patronymic suffix -son.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 323,354 Americans carry the last name Peterson. That puts it at #71 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 94.34 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,060 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Peterson 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
323K
1 in 1,060
Census rank
#71
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
94.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
278K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 278,297 bearers of the surname Peterson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 94.34 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 71st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Peterson, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Peterson
The surname Peterson has its origins in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name of the father or an ancestor. In this case, Peterson is derived from the personal name Peter, which comes from the Greek word "petros," meaning "rock."
The earliest recorded instances of the Peterson surname date back to the 13th century in various regions of Scandinavia. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Petrus Petersson, a Swedish priest who lived in the late 13th century. Another early example is Jon Petersson, a Norwegian farmer mentioned in a land record from the year 1340.
As the surname spread across Scandinavia, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Pedersson, Pedersson, and Pederzen. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic variations within the region.
In the 16th century, the Peterson surname began to appear in records outside of Scandinavia, particularly in areas with strong trade links or settlements from Scandinavian countries. One notable example is Hans Peterson, a Danish explorer who accompanied the explorer John Davis on his voyage to the Arctic in 1585.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Peterson. Henrik Petersen (1568-1646) was a Danish astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. Another notable figure was Anna Petterson (1623-1688), a Swedish woman who was accused of witchcraft during the infamous Torsåker witch trials.
In the 19th century, the Peterson surname gained prominence in the United States due to the influx of Scandinavian immigrants. One notable American bearer of the name was Peter Peterson (1825-1899), a Danish-American businessman and politician who served as the 12th Governor of Utah Territory.
Another significant figure was Frederik Petersen (1839-1912), a Danish-American artist known for his landscape paintings depicting the American West. His works are held in notable collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Lastly, Gustav Petersen (1865-1939) was a Norwegian-American engineer and inventor who is credited with developing the first commercially successful gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, the Petersen Hybrid, in the early 20th century.
These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse individuals who have borne the surname Peterson throughout the centuries, reflecting its Scandinavian origins and its global spread over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Peterson
Among Census respondents with the surname Peterson, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Peterson 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 Peterson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White84.4%
- Black or African American10.1%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Peterson 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 | #71 | #71 | 0.0% |
| Count | 278,297 | 278,297 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 94.34 | 94.34 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Peterson bearers went from 278,297 to 278,297 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #71 to #71.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Peterson
FAQ
Peterson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Peterson?
The surname Peterson holds position #71 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 323,354 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 94.34 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Peterson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Peterson, the largest self-reported group is White at 84.4%. The next largest groups are Black (10.1%) and Hispanic (2.4%). 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.