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

Purdey, 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 Purdey surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Purdey in America

Purdey is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Purdey surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Purdey.

The history of the last name Purdey

The surname Purdey is believed to have its origins in England. The earliest recorded instances of the name trace back to the medieval period, specifically around the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the old English word "purde" or "purdy," which means "clearing in a wood" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near or in a forest clearing.

One of the earliest mentions of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of England completed by order of King William the Conqueror. Though the exact spelling "Purdey" does not appear, variations like "Purde" or "Purda" might be found, as the name underwent several transformations over the centuries.

The name Purdey appears in historical records from various regions, notably in Sussex and Hampshire. Historical documents from the 14th century mention a John Purdey, who held land in Hampshire in 1376. This indicates that the Purdey family were landowners and were established in this region by this time.

Daniel Purdey, another notable bearer of the surname, was born in 1680 in London and became well-known in the early 18th century. He is recorded as having been a successful merchant and landowner, expanding the influence and wealth of the Purdey family within the city of London.

The most famous Purdey is undoubtedly James Purdey, born in 1784 and died in 1863, who founded the iconic Purdey gunmaking firm in 1814. Purdey & Sons became renowned for crafting high-quality firearms and greatly contributed to the recognition of the Purdey name on a global scale. James Purdey's craftsmanship earned him a prestigious clientele, which included royalty and nobility.

Records from the 19th century show Henry Purdey, born in 1826, who was an influential figure in the thriving industrial landscape of Victorian England. He played a significant role in the development of manufacturing techniques in the Midlands and contributed to the region's economic growth.

Another significant historical figure with this surname is Sir George Purdey, born in 1852 and a distinguished British naval officer. His military service and leadership were widely recognized during the latter part of the 19th century, and he was knighted for his contributions to the Royal Navy.

The Purdey surname has a long and storied history, with its roots deeply embedded in the English landscape and society. It has evolved from a simple habitation name to one associated with prominence and distinction across various fields, from landownership and commerce to craftsmanship and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Purdey

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Purdey 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.

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

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

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