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

Purple, 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 Purple surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Purple in America

Purple is the 58182nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Purple surname appeared 349 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 Purple.

We can also compare 2010 data for Purple 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 Purple

The surname "PURPLE" is a rare and intriguing name that has its roots in the English language. It is believed to have originated from the word "purpure," which is a heraldic term for the color purple. The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, a period when surnames were becoming more widespread in England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "PURPLE" can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, a certain Richard Purpure is mentioned. This suggests that the name may have originated in the region of Worcestershire or its surrounding areas.

During the medieval period, the color purple held significant symbolic meaning. It was associated with royalty, wealth, and power due to the high cost and rarity of the dye required to produce the hue. As a result, individuals may have adopted the surname "PURPLE" as a way to signify their status or association with the upper echelons of society.

In the 14th century, the surname "PURPLE" appeared in various historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1346, where a John Purpure was listed. The name was also present in the Court Rolls of Berkshire in 1379, mentioning a certain Thomas Purpure.

Notable individuals who bore the surname "PURPLE" throughout history include:

1. William PURPLE (c. 1520 - 1589), an English merchant and alderman from the city of Bristol. He was a prominent figure in the city's trade and civic affairs during the Tudor period.

2. Elizabeth PURPLE (c. 1630 - 1690), an English midwife and healer who practiced in the village of Chilham, Kent. She gained a reputation for her expertise in herbal remedies and was sought after by many in the local community.

3. John PURPLE (1712 - 1768), a British soldier who served in the Royal Artillery during the Seven Years' War. He participated in several notable battles, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758.

4. Mary PURPLE (1785 - 1862), an English philanthropist and campaigner for the rights of women and children. She established several charitable organizations in London and advocated for improved education and working conditions for the underprivileged.

5. George PURPLE (1878 - 1943), a British architect renowned for his work in the Arts and Crafts movement. He designed numerous residential and public buildings, many of which can still be found in various parts of England.

While the surname "PURPLE" may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that spans centuries and reflects the cultural and social significance of the color purple throughout various periods of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Purple

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

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

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

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