Explore the Family Name Purley
The meaning of Purley
English: habitational name from Purleigh (Essex), Purley (Berkshire), or Purley in Sanderstead (Surrey). The Essex and Berkshire placenames derive from Old English pur ‘bittern’ + lēah ‘woodland clearing’. The Surrey placename is from Old English pyrige ‘pear tree’ + lēah.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Purley in the United States?
The surname Purley was ranked 108,734 in popularity based on the Decennial U.S. Census data from 2000 and dropped to rank 123,064 in 2010, indicating a decrease of 13.18%. The number of people bearing the surname also saw a mild decline from 151 in 2000 to 140 in 2010, representing a drop of 7.28%. The proportion of individuals named Purley per 100,000 population declined by 16.67%, from 0.06 in 2000 to 0.05 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #108,734 | #123,064 | -13.18% |
| Count | 151 | 140 | -7.28% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.06 | 0.05 | -16.67% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Purley
Analyzing the ethnic identity associated with the surname Purley, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows some interesting trends. In both 2000 and 2010, there were no reported instances of the surname among Asian/Pacific Islanders or individuals of two or more races. Those who identify as White with the name Purley increased from 6.62% in 2000 to 7.86% in 2010, whilst the Hispanic population with this surname more than doubled from 5.3% to 10.71%. The proportion of Black individuals with the surname fell slightly by 4.13%, and those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native dropped significantly by 23.99%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 47.68% | 45.71% | -4.13% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 40.4% | 30.71% | -23.99% |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 10.71% | 102.08% |
| White | 6.62% | 7.86% | 18.73% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |