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

Prue, 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 Prue surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prue in America

Prue is the 15912th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prue surname appeared 1,826 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 Prue.

We can also compare 2010 data for Prue 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 Prue

The surname Prue is of English origin, deriving from the Old French word "preu" or "prou," meaning "valiant" or "brave." This name emerged in the Middle Ages, primarily in the regions of Normandy and Brittany in France, where it was initially used as a nickname or descriptive term for a courageous or valorous individual.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Prue can be traced back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known references is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a medieval tax record from 1273, where a person named Roger le Preu is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established in England by that time.

In the 14th century, the surname Prue appeared in various historical documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which listed a John Prew. During this period, the name was often spelled in different ways, including Prew, Prowe, and Prugh, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Prue was John Prue (c. 1459-1525), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Warden of Durham College, Oxford. He was also the author of several theological works and played a significant role in the intellectual life of the University of Oxford during the early 16th century.

Another individual of note was Samuel Prue (1610-1680), a Puritan minister and author from Gloucestershire, England. He was known for his sermons and published works, including "The Undefiled Inheritance" and "The Christian Householder's Guide," which provided guidance on family life and religious practices.

In the 17th century, the surname Prue was also associated with place names in England. For instance, the village of Prudhoe in Northumberland is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "prud" and "hoh," meaning "proud hill" or "brave hill." This suggests a potential connection between the surname Prue and certain geographical locations.

Other notable individuals with the surname Prue include William Prue (1782-1858), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and played a role in several significant battles, and Mary Prue (1847-1932), an American educator and advocate for women's rights, who founded the Prue School for Girls in Connecticut.

Throughout its history, the surname Prue has maintained a presence in various parts of England, as well as in other English-speaking countries where individuals of English descent have settled. While the name has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, reflecting the rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural influences that have shaped English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prue

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

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

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

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