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

Pleasant, 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 Pleasant surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pleasant in America

Pleasant is the 4791st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pleasant surname appeared 7,378 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Pleasant.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pleasant 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 Pleasant

The surname Pleasant is derived from the Old English word 'plæsant', meaning agreeable or pleasing. It is thought to have originated in England during the late medieval period, likely as a nickname or descriptive surname given to someone with a pleasant or agreeable disposition.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the historical records of Oxfordshire, where a John le Plesaunte is mentioned in 1279. This early spelling variation highlights the surname's roots in the Old English language.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Pleasaunt and Plesaunt, in several regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. This suggests that the name had become more widespread during this time.

The Pleasant surname is also closely associated with the village of Pleasant Stall in Somerset, which was originally known as 'Plesaunt Stelle' in the 13th century. This place name likely contributed to the surname's popularity in the region.

One notable individual with the surname was Sir Thomas Pleasant, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in London during the late 15th century. He was a prominent figure in the city's mercantile community and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1487.

Another historical figure with the surname was John Pleasant, a Puritan minister who emigrated from England to Massachusetts in the 1630s. He was one of the founders of the town of Watertown and played a significant role in the early religious life of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In the 17th century, the Pleasant surname gained prominence in the county of Devon, where several members of the family held influential positions. One such individual was Sir Walter Pleasant (1594-1671), a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament who served as the Attorney General of England and Wales.

During the English Civil War, Captain Thomas Pleasant (1617-1668) was a notable military figure who fought for the Parliamentarian cause. He served under Oliver Cromwell and is remembered for his role in the siege of Colchester in 1648.

Another individual worth mentioning is Samuel Pleasant (1634-1689), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Dean of Norwich Cathedral. He was a respected figure in the Church of England and made significant contributions to theological discourse during his lifetime.

The Pleasant surname has a rich history that can be traced back to its Old English roots and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields, including commerce, religion, law, and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pleasant

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

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

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

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