Explore the Family Name Purkeypile

The meaning of Purkeypile

Americanized form of South German Birckenbühl, a topographic name meaning ‘hill of birch trees’, from Middle High German birke ‘birch’ and bühel ‘hill’, or, alternatively, Birkenbeil, from Middle High German birke ‘birch’ and bīl ‘axe’, or Birkenbeul, a habitational name from Birkenbeul in Rhineland-Palatinate. The surname Birckenbühl is no longer found in Germany. Compare Berkebile, Burkepile, Purkey, and Perkey. History: The Purkeypiles trace their origin to Johann Arnold Birckenbuehl (or Birkenbeil, Birkenbeul) from Germany, whose sons immigrated to North America in the middle of the 18th century. Their descendants also bear other altered forms of the surname, such as Berkebile, Burkepile, Purkey, and Perkey.

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

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

As per the data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Purkeypile has seen a slight shift in its popularity between 2000 and 2010. The rank of the surname moved from 142,819 in 2000 to 145,220 in 2010, marking a decrease in popularity by 1.68%. However, the actual count of individuals with the surname Purkeypile increased from 107 to 114 during the same period, indicating a growth of 6.54%. The proportion per 100,000 remained consistent at 0.04 in both years.

20002010Change
Rank#142,819#145,220-1.68%
Count1071146.54%
Proportion per 100k0.040.040%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Purkeypile

Considering the ethnic identity associated with the surname Purkeypile, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that the majority identifies as White. In 2000, approximately 91.59% of individuals with the surname identified as White, and this figure rose to 96.49% by 2010. This represents an increase of 5.35% over the decade. No individuals with the surname Purkeypile identified themselves as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year. Similarly, no individuals reported having two or more races.

20002010Change
White91.59%96.49%5.35%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
Two or More Races0%0%0%
Hispanic0%0%0%
Black0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%