Origin & Meaning of the Percival Surname
What does the last name Percival mean?
The surname Percival carries the meaning "Family name of European origin." It is derived from the European language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 3,317 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Percival ranks as the #9,767 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Percival come from?
The Percival surname has its roots in European heritage. Names of European 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 Percival name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Percival trace back to European. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Percival |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Family name of European origin |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #9,767 |
| US Count (2010) | 3,317 |
| Per 100K People | 1.12 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Percival
According to the US Census, the Percival surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 3,317 Americans with the Percival last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 85.14% |
| Black | 8.29% |
| Hispanic | 3.32% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.21% |
| Native American | 0.57% |
| Two or More Races | 1.48% |
Popularity of Percival Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Percival surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Percival surname increased by 170 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Percival Ancestry
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The Complete Story of the Percival Family
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- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Percival
- ✓ The Percival coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Percival families live today
- ✓ Notable Percival bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Percival
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Percival.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Percival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Percival
Top Surnames Starting with P
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter P, ranked by population.
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