Origin & Meaning of the Petty Surname
What does the last name Petty mean?
The surname Petty 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 34,882 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Petty ranks as the #1,005 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Petty come from?
The Petty 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 Petty name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Petty 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.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Petty |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,005 |
| US Count (2010) | 34,882 |
| Per 100K People | 11.83 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Petty
According to the US Census, the Petty surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 34,882 Americans with the Petty last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 73.43% |
| Black | 20.99% |
| Hispanic | 2.4% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.52% |
| Native American | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 2.16% |
Popularity of Petty Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Petty surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Petty surname increased by 604 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Petty
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Petty.
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 Petty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Petty
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