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

Primer, 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 Primer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Primer in America

Primer is the 38532nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Primer surname appeared 574 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Primer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Primer 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 Primer

The surname Primer is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, possibly as early as the 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "primer," which referred to a person's first or elementary book of instruction, particularly in relation to religious teachings or liturgical prayers.

One of the earliest known references to the Primer surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already in use during the late 11th century, potentially indicating its adoption by individuals involved in the teaching or copying of religious texts.

The surname may have also been associated with the occupation of a primer, someone who provided basic instruction or copied primers for educational or religious purposes. As literacy and education became more widespread in medieval England, the role of the primer would have been instrumental in disseminating knowledge and religious teachings.

In the 13th century, records show a Richard le Primer residing in Oxfordshire, England. This early spelling variation, using the prefix "le" (meaning "the"), was common during that time period and further supports the surname's English origins.

One notable figure associated with the Primer surname was John Primer, a renowned English composer and organist who lived from circa 1580 to 1625. His works included religious compositions and anthems that were widely performed and published during the late Renaissance period.

Another individual of historical significance was William Primer, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Michael's Church in Cambridge. He published several religious works, including a commentary on the Book of Psalms, between the years 1620 and 1650.

In the 18th century, the Primer surname can be found in various records and documents from counties across England, such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire. This suggests that the name had become more widely dispersed throughout the country by this time.

A notable figure from this era was Thomas Primer, an English politician and landowner who lived from 1712 to 1789. He served as a member of parliament for the borough of Stamford in Lincolnshire and was known for his involvement in local affairs and governance.

As the centuries progressed, the Primer surname continued to be associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, clergy, artists, and professionals. While the name may have originated from an occupation or educational role, it has since taken on a broader significance and is now found among families across different regions and backgrounds.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Primer

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

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

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

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