Explore the Family Name Pettiford
The meaning of Pettiford
English (of Norman origin): nickname from Old French pied de fer ‘iron foot’, given perhaps to someone with an artificial foot or leg, or to a tireless walker or messenger.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Pettiford in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Pettiford has seen a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 9,973rd most popular surname, but by 2010, it had slipped to the 10,237th position, marking a 2.65% decline. However, the actual number of individuals with this surname increased from 2,985 in 2000 to 3,148 in 2010, showing a growth of 5.46%. The proportion of Pettifords per 100,000 people also decreased slightly during this period, from 1.11 to 1.07, a decrease of 3.6%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #9,973 | #10,237 | -2.65% |
| Count | 2,985 | 3,148 | 5.46% |
| Proportion per 100k | 1.11 | 1.07 | -3.6% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Pettiford
Looking at the ethnic identity associated with the surname Pettiford, according to the Decennial U.S. Census, the majority identify as Black with a reduction from 85.19% in 2000 to 83.10% in 2010. Notably, there have been significant changes within other ethnic identities. The percentage of Pettifords who identify with two or more races nearly doubled, growing from 4.02% to 6.19%. Similarly, those identifying as Hispanic saw a 50% increase from 1.78% to 2.67%. However, those associating themselves as White and American Indian and Alaskan Native both decreased, falling by 8.83% and 41.43% respectively. The Asian/Pacific Islander group remained relatively stable, with a small increase from 0.50% to 0.51%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 85.19% | 83.1% | -2.45% |
| White | 7.81% | 7.12% | -8.83% |
| Two or More Races | 4.02% | 6.19% | 53.98% |
| Hispanic | 1.78% | 2.67% | 50% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.5% | 0.51% | 2% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.7% | 0.41% | -41.43% |