Explore the Family Name Purse
The meaning of Purse
1. English and Scottish: from Middle English purs(e) (Old English purs) ‘bag, sack, or pouch’, often specifically ‘money bag, purse, wallet’, also ‘(royal) treasury, the privy purse’ and colloquially a term for the scrotum. Perhaps an occupational name short for pursmaister ‘keeper of the purse’, purser or pursmakere (see Purser), or a nickname for someone who was mean or generous with money or who displayed his purse in an ostentatious manner. 2. English: variant of Pierce. Some characteristic forenames: Scottish Munro.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Purse in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Purse" has seen a slight decrease over time. In 2000, Purse ranked 50,468 in terms of surname popularity and this ranking dropped to 54,178 in 2010, reflecting a 7.35% decrease. The count of people with this surname also decreased from 389 in 2000 to 381 in 2010, marking a 2.06% dip. Furthermore, the proportion per 100k people carrying the surname Purse also fell by approximately 7.14%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #50,468 | #54,178 | -7.35% |
| Count | 389 | 381 | -2.06% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.14 | 0.13 | -7.14% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Purse
The Decennial U.S. Census data reveals interesting aspects about the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Purse". While there were no recorded instances of the surname among Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native populations in either 2000 or 2010, there was a small emergence in individuals of two or more races by 2010. Individuals identifying as white made up the largest proportion of those with the surname, though this percentage declined from 70.69% in 2000 to 65.62% in 2010. The Hispanic population with this surname saw significant growth, with an increase of 155.84%. Meanwhile, the black population with the surname Purse experienced a slight rise, increasing by 1.08%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 70.69% | 65.62% | -7.17% |
| Black | 26.74% | 27.03% | 1.08% |
| Hispanic | 1.54% | 3.94% | 155.84% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.1% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |