Origin of the Peter Surname
The Peter surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #3,859 with 9,191 Americans (3.12 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Peter traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Peter |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #3,859 |
| US Count (2010) | 9,191 |
| Per 100K People | 3.12 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Peter
Among 9,191 Americans named Peter, the largest self-reported group is White (71.28%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Peter Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Peter moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Peter family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Peter Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Peter Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Peter
- ✓ The Peter coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Peter families live today
- ✓ Notable Peter 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 Peter fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Peter
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Peter.
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 Peter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter
Top Surnames Starting with P
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter P, ranked by population.
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