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

Pompey, 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 Pompey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pompey in America

Pompey is the 12531st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pompey surname appeared 2,473 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 Pompey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pompey 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 Pompey

The surname Pompey originates from England, and its earliest recorded use dates back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "pompé," which means "pompous" or "boastful." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname or a reference to someone with a grandiose or showy personality.

The name Pompey is closely associated with the city of Portsmouth, located on the southern coast of England. It is believed that the surname may have originated from this region, where the surname was commonly found in historical records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which was a census-like survey of landowners in England during the reign of King Edward I.

In the 16th century, the name Pompey gained prominence through its association with Sir Thomas Pompey, a wealthy merchant and landowner from Portsmouth. Born in 1520, Sir Thomas Pompey played a significant role in the English wool trade and served as a Member of Parliament for Portsmouth. His influence and success likely contributed to the widespread use of the surname in the region.

Another notable bearer of the name Pompey was Sir William Pompey, a 17th-century English naval commander. Born in 1648, Sir William Pompey served in the Royal Navy and participated in several major battles during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. He later became a respected naval administrator and was knighted for his service.

The Pompey surname also has a connection to the city of Portsmouth's football club, which is commonly known as "Pompey." The club's nickname is derived from the city's association with the surname, and it has been used affectionately by supporters and locals for generations.

Other historical figures with the surname Pompey include John Pompey, a 14th-century English scholar and clergyman, and Edward Pompey, a 17th-century merchant and landowner from the county of Hampshire. The name also appears in various parish records and legal documents throughout the centuries, further cementing its English origins and historical significance.

Overall, the surname Pompey has a rich history deeply rooted in the southern regions of England, particularly the city of Portsmouth. Its origins as a descriptive nickname and its association with prominent figures and locations have contributed to its enduring legacy and recognition within English genealogy and history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pompey

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

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

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

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