Explore the Family Name Peat

The meaning of Peat

1. English and Scottish: from the Middle English and Older Scots personal name Peet, a pet form of Peter. 2. English and Scottish: nickname from Middle English pete ‘peat’, perhaps for someone who cut or sold peat. 3. Altered form of French Pitre.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Peat in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Peat has undergone significant changes between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 26,191 in terms of popularity, but by 2010 it had dropped to 31,906, a decrease of approximately 21.82%. The frequency of this surname also decreased during this period, with the count dropping from 878 in 2000 to 723 in 2010, indicating a decrease of 17.65%. Similarly, the proportion of this surname per 100k people fell by 24.24%, moving from 0.33 to 0.25.

20002010Change
Rank#26,191#31,906-21.82%
Count878723-17.65%
Proportion per 100k0.330.25-24.24%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Peat

In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Peat. The percentage of those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander increased from 0% to 1.38% between 2000 and 2010. There was also an increase in those identifying with two or more races, rising from 1.82% to 2.21%, representing a change of 21.43%. Those identifying as white saw a decrease of 9.6%, moving from 77.11% in 2000 to 69.71% in 2010. The Hispanic demographic experienced a considerable increase of 65.41%, rising from 1.59% to 2.63%. Finally, the percentage of those identifying as Black increased from 18.45% to 24.07%, a change of 30.46%. The data shows no change for the American Indian and Alaskan Native population as it remained at 0% over the decade.

20002010Change
White77.11%69.71%-9.6%
Black18.45%24.07%30.46%
Hispanic1.59%2.63%65.41%
Two or More Races1.82%2.21%21.43%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%1.38%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%