Pitney
A surname derived from a location name meaning "small meadow" or "clearing".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 960 Americans carry the last name Pitney. That puts it at #28,437 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.28 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 357,036 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Pitney 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
960
1 in 357,036
Census rank
#28,437
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
839
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 839 bearers of the surname Pitney in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.28 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 28437th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Pitney, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (7.9%) and Hispanic (3.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Pitney
The surname Pitney is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "pyt," meaning a pit or a small hole in the ground. Additionally, it may have connections to the Old English word "pyt-ney," which referred to a person who lived near a pit or a small valley.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pitney can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions several individuals with the surname Pitney or similar spellings, suggesting that the name was already in use during the 11th century.
In the medieval period, the name Pitney was commonly found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset. This may indicate that the name had its origins in these regions, potentially related to specific place names or geographical features.
One notable individual bearing the surname Pitney was Sir John Pitney (circa 1380-1453), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament. He was a significant figure in the county of Somerset and held various positions of authority, including Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset.
Another historical figure with the surname Pitney was William Pitney (1637-1694), an English clergyman and author. He served as the rector of Doulting in Somerset and published several religious works during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, Samuel Pitney (1707-1784) was a prominent lawyer and judge in colonial America. He served as a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey and was known for his expertise in legal matters.
Moving into the 19th century, John Pitney (1786-1856) was an English clergyman and author who wrote several works on theology and church history. He served as the rector of St. Bartholomew's Church in Twickenham, Middlesex.
Lastly, Joseph Pitney (1870-1949) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1912 to 1922. He was nominated to the court by President William Howard Taft and made significant contributions to various legal decisions during his tenure.
Throughout its history, the surname Pitney has appeared in various spellings, such as Pittney, Pittney, and Pyttney, reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. Despite these variations, the name has maintained its distinct identity and continues to be associated with its English origins and connections to place names and geographical features.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Pitney
Among Census respondents with the surname Pitney, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (7.9%) and Hispanic (3.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Pitney 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 Pitney surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White85.7%
- Black or African American7.9%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
- Two or more races1.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Pitney 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 | #28,437 | #28,437 | 0.0% |
| Count | 839 | 839 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Pitney bearers went from 839 to 839 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #28,437 to #28,437.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Pitney
FAQ
Pitney surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Pitney?
The surname Pitney holds position #28,437 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 960 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.28 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Pitney surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Pitney, the largest self-reported group is White at 85.7%. The next largest groups are Black (7.9%) and Hispanic (3.1%). 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.