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

Pridgen, 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 Pridgen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pridgen in America

Pridgen is the 6127th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pridgen surname appeared 5,591 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Pridgen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pridgen 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 Pridgen

The surname Pridgen is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "prydan," which means "to be proud or haughty." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with a proud or arrogant demeanor.

The earliest recorded instances of the Pridgen surname date back to the late 12th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Pridgen, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195. These rolls were financial records kept by the English Crown, indicating that the Pridgen family may have held some notable status or wealth during that time.

In the 13th century, the Pridgen surname began to appear in various parts of England, with variations in spelling such as Prydgen, Prydgyn, and Pridegin. These variations likely arose due to the inconsistencies in written records and regional dialects during that era.

There are records of the Pridgen name being associated with various locations in England, including Pridgenwell in Somerset and Pridgen Manor in Dorset. These place names suggest that the Pridgen family may have owned or lived in these areas, further establishing their presence and influence.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Pridgen surname. One such figure was Sir John Pridgen (1567-1628), a prominent English merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers. He played a significant role in the trade between England and the Netherlands during the Elizabethan era.

Another notable Pridgen was Robert Pridgen (1638-1712), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Willingale Doe in Essex. He published several religious works, including "The Doctrine of the Resurrection Explained and Defended" in 1697.

In the 18th century, William Pridgen (1727-1795) was a successful farmer and landowner in Somerset. He was known for his innovative agricultural practices and his contributions to the local community.

Moving into the 19th century, James Pridgen (1812-1887) was a British entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the Pridgen Ironworks in Birmingham. His company played a vital role in the manufacturing of iron and steel products during the Industrial Revolution.

Lastly, Mary Pridgen (1871-1953) was a notable British artist and painter known for her landscapes and still-life works. She was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and had several of her paintings exhibited at the Royal Academy.

While the Pridgen surname may have evolved from a nickname describing a proud or arrogant individual, it has since been carried by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pridgen

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

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

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

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