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

Player, 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 Player surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Player in America

Player is the 9033rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Player surname appeared 3,617 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Player.

We can also compare 2010 data for Player 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 Player

The surname PLAYER originated in England during the Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word 'plegere', meaning 'one who plays'. This name was often bestowed upon individuals whose occupation involved performing or entertaining through various forms of play or games.

During the 13th century, the name was predominantly found in regions like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, where it was commonly associated with travelling minstrels, jesters, and performers who roamed from town to town, providing entertainment at fairs, festivals, and royal courts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PLAYER can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, where a certain Walter le Player is mentioned as a resident of the village of Longstanton.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various historical records, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a John le Player was listed as a tenant in 1348.

During the late medieval period, the PLAYER surname gained recognition through individuals like William Player, a renowned composer and musician who served at the court of King Henry VIII in the early 16th century (c. 1490 - c. 1560).

Another notable figure bearing this surname was Sir Thomas Player (c. 1530 - 1586), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from London, known for his generous contributions towards the establishment of educational institutions and charitable foundations.

In the 17th century, the PLAYER name gained prominence in various parts of England, including the county of Gloucestershire, where a family of landowners and gentry resided. One of their descendants, John Player (1639 - 1719), became a respected figure in the local community and served as a Justice of the Peace.

During the 18th century, the PLAYER surname was further spread across England, with notable individuals like Jonathan Player (1737 - 1808), a prominent clockmaker from the city of Bristol, whose intricate timepieces were highly sought after by affluent clients.

Another significant figure from this era was Samuel Player (1758 - 1836), a successful merchant and entrepreneur from Liverpool, who played a pivotal role in the city's flourishing maritime trade and commerce.

As the centuries progressed, the PLAYER surname continued to be associated with various professions and occupations, from artists and musicians to businessmen and professionals, reflecting the diverse talents and pursuits of those who carried this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Player

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

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

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

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