Penn — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #1,849 in the US 19,409 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,849
▼ Down 84 since 2000
People in the US
19,409
6.58 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Penn Surname

What does the last name Penn mean?

The surname Penn carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 19,409 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Penn ranks as the #1,849 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Penn come from?

The Penn surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown 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 Penn name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

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

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Penn
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #1,849
US Count (2010) 19,409
Per 100K People 6.58
First Letter P

Ethnic Distribution of Penn

According to the US Census, the Penn surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 19,409 Americans with the Penn last name.

White 50.56%
Black 38.5%
Hispanic 4.49%
Asian/PI 1.8%
Native American 1.27%
Two+ Races 3.39%
Ethnic distribution of the Penn surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White50.56%
Black38.5%
Hispanic4.49%
Asian/Pacific Islander1.8%
Native American1.27%
Two or More Races3.39%

Popularity of Penn Over Time

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

Census 2000
#1,765
18,601 people
Down 84
Census 2010
#1,849
19,409 people

The number of Americans with the Penn surname increased by 808 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Penn Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Penn

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

Other Unknown Surnames

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Penn

The surname Penn is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Penn is ranked #1,849 in the United States with approximately 19,409 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Penn surname is distributed as: 50.6% White, 38.5% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Penn 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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