Peer — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #8,773 in the US 3,736 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#8,773
▼ Down 655 since 2000
People in the US
3,736
1.27 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Peer Surname

What does the last name Peer mean?

The surname Peer carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 3,736 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Peer ranks as the #8,773 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Peer come from?

The Peer surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Peer name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Peer trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Peer
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #8,773
US Count (2010) 3,736
Per 100K People 1.27
First Letter P

Ethnic Distribution of Peer

According to the US Census, the Peer surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,736 Americans with the Peer last name.

White 90.66%
Black 2.84%
Hispanic 2.76%
Asian/PI 2.03%
Native American 0.4%
Two+ Races 1.31%
Ethnic distribution of the Peer surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White90.66%
Black2.84%
Hispanic2.76%
Asian/Pacific Islander2.03%
Native American0.4%
Two or More Races1.31%

Popularity of Peer Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Peer surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#8,118
3,763 people
Down 655
Census 2010
#8,773
3,736 people

The number of Americans with the Peer surname decreased by 27 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Peer Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Peer ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Peer

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Peer.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Peer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peer

The surname Peer is of English origin. One who does
The surname Peer is ranked #8,773 in the United States with approximately 3,736 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Peer surname is distributed as: 90.7% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Peer ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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