Origin of the Pelham Surname
The Pelham surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #9,854 with 3,282 Americans (1.11 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Pelham traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Pelham |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #9,854 |
| US Count (2010) | 3,282 |
| Per 100K People | 1.11 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Pelham
Among 3,282 Americans named Pelham, the largest self-reported group is White (76.2%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Pelham Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Pelham moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Pelham family really come from?
A simple cheek swab reveals your ethnic origins, maps where your Pelham ancestors lived, and connects you with living relatives who share your DNA.
- 🧬 A detailed estimate of your ethnic origins
- 🗺️ See where your Pelham ancestors lived & migrated
- 👪 Get matched with relatives you never knew you had
Trusted by millions who've uncovered their family story
Prefer another lab? 23andMe · MyHeritage
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
The Complete Story of the Pelham Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Pelham Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Pelham
- ✓ The Pelham coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Pelham families live today
- ✓ Notable Pelham bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Pelham fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Pelham
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Pelham.
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 Pelham.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelham
Top Surnames Starting with P
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter P, ranked by population.
Related Searches
People searching for information about the Pelham surname also look for: