Origin & Meaning of the Pleasant Surname
What does the last name Pleasant mean?
The surname Pleasant carries the meaning "Surname with roots in African American heritage." It is derived from the English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 7,378 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Pleasant ranks as the #4,791 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Pleasant come from?
The Pleasant surname has its roots in African American heritage. Names of African American 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 Pleasant name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Pleasant trace back to 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.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Pleasant |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Surname with roots in African American heritage |
| Origin | African American |
| Language | English |
| US Rank (2010) | #4,791 |
| US Count (2010) | 7,378 |
| Per 100K People | 2.5 |
| First Letter | P |
Ethnic Distribution of Pleasant
According to the US Census, the Pleasant surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 7,378 Americans with the Pleasant last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 36.53% |
| Black | 54.92% |
| Hispanic | 3.05% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.33% |
| Native American | 1.61% |
| Two or More Races | 3.56% |
Popularity of Pleasant Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Pleasant surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Pleasant surname increased by 411 between 2000 and 2010.
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The Complete Story of the Pleasant Family
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- ✓ The Pleasant coat of arms & heraldry
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- ✓ Where Pleasant families live today
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- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Pleasant
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Pleasant.
Other African American Surnames
Explore more surnames with African American roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same African American origin as Pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pleasant
Top Surnames Starting with P
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter P, ranked by population.
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