Purl
A surname derived from the Old English word "pyrl," meaning a small stream or brook.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 480 Americans carry the last name Purl. That puts it at #50,771 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.14 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 714,072 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Purl surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
480
1 in 714,072
Census rank
#50,771
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
411
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 411 bearers of the surname Purl in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 50771st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Purl, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Purl
The surname PURL originates from England and dates back to the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "pyrl," which means a small stream or creek. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a small body of water.
The earliest recorded instance of the name PURL can be found in the Parish Records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a John Purl was listed in 1598. It is possible that the name was initially associated with this region, as similar spellings like "Purle" and "Purlee" were also present in nearby areas during the same period.
In the 17th century, the name PURL appeared in various historical documents, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1662, which listed a Thomas Purl in the village of Great Hallingbury, Essex. This suggests that the name had spread to other parts of England by that time.
One notable individual with the surname PURL was William Purl (1638-1692), a prominent merchant and landowner from Barnsley, Yorkshire. He was known for his extensive trade dealings and owned several properties in the region.
Another figure of historical significance was Elizabeth Purl (1718-1796), a renowned writer and poet from Gloucestershire. Her collection of poems, titled "Verses from the Countryside," was widely acclaimed and celebrated for its vivid descriptions of rural life.
In the 19th century, the name PURL was associated with several prominent figures, including Sir James Purl (1824-1896), a British politician and member of Parliament for the borough of Wigan. He was known for his advocacy of workers' rights and played a significant role in reforming labor laws.
Another noteworthy individual was Captain Robert Purl (1861-1932), a decorated naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the late Victorian era. He was commended for his bravery and leadership during several military campaigns.
The surname PURL has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Purl Green in Oxfordshire and Purl Hill in Wiltshire, further reinforcing its connection to the country's geography and landscape.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Purl
Among Census respondents with the surname Purl, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Purl bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Purl surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.1%
- Black or African American3.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.6%
- Two or more races2.9%
- Unknown or suppressed2.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Purl surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #56,687 | #50,771 | 10.4% |
| Count | 337 | 411 | 22.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.12 | 0.14 | 16.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Purl bearers went from 337 to 411 (+22.0% change). The surname moved up 5,916 positions in the national ranking, going from #56,687 to #50,771.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Purl
FAQ
Purl surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Purl?
The surname Purl holds position #50,771 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 480 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.14 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Purl surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Purl, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.1%. The next largest groups are Black (3.9%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.