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

Pursel, 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 Pursel surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pursel in America

Pursel is the 21382nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pursel surname appeared 1,224 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 Pursel.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pursel 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 Pursel

The surname Pursel has its roots in the Middle English and Old French languages, originating from the regions of Normandy and northern France during the medieval period. It is believed to have been derived from the Old French word "pourcelet," which referred to a young pig or piglet. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname given to individuals who worked with pigs or were involved in the pork trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Purcelot," a variant spelling. This historical record provides evidence of the name's existence in England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, indicating that it was likely brought over by Norman settlers or merchants.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various English records with spellings such as "Pursel," "Pursell," and "Purslow." These variations reflect the regional dialects and phonetic adaptations that occurred as the name spread across different parts of the country.

Notable individuals bearing the Pursel surname include John Pursel, a merchant from London who was recorded in the tax rolls of 1327. Another early bearer was Robert Pursel, a landowner mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1381.

As the centuries passed, the Pursel name continued to be found in various regions of England. In the 16th century, William Pursel (1523-1587) was a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol. His son, Thomas Pursel (1560-1631), became a respected clergyman and served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Gloucestershire.

Moving into the 17th century, we find Sir Edward Pursel (1612-1679), a prominent politician and member of Parliament for the borough of Woodstock. He played a significant role in the English Civil War and was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentarian cause.

Another notable figure was Captain James Pursel (1685-1754), a renowned sailor and navigator who served in the Royal Navy during the early 18th century. He was known for his explorations in the West Indies and his role in mapping uncharted waters.

Throughout its history, the Pursel surname has been associated with various professions, including merchants, clergy, politicians, and seafarers. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in Normandy and northern France, the name has left its mark across different regions of England, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pursel

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

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

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

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