Person — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #496 in the US 67,411 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#496
▲ Up 1223 since 2000
People in the US
67,411
22.85 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Person Surname

What does the last name Person mean?

The surname Person carries the meaning "Son of Per." 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 67,411 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Person ranks as the #496 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Person come from?

The Person 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 Person name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Person 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 Person
Meaning Son of Per
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #496
US Count (2010) 67,411
Per 100K People 22.85
First Letter P

Ethnic Distribution of Person

According to the US Census, the Person surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 67,411 Americans with the Person last name.

White 45.58%
Black 34.51%
Hispanic 12.88%
Asian/PI 4.14%
Native American 1.12%
Two+ Races 1.78%
Ethnic distribution of the Person surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White45.58%
Black34.51%
Hispanic12.88%
Asian/Pacific Islander4.14%
Native American1.12%
Two or More Races1.78%

Popularity of Person Over Time

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

Census 2000
#1,719
19,129 people
Up 1223
Census 2010
#496
67,411 people

The number of Americans with the Person surname increased by 48,282 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Person Ancestry

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

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Similar Surnames to Person

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

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 Person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Person

The surname Person is of English origin. Son of Per
The surname Person is ranked #496 in the United States with approximately 67,411 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Son of Per. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Person surname is distributed as: 45.6% White, 34.5% Black, 12.9% Hispanic. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Person 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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