Perry (surname)

This article is about the surname Perry. For other uses, see Perry (disambiguation).
Perry
Family name
Meaning One who dwells by a pear tree (Geographical); quarryman
Region of origin England
Language(s) of origin Old English

Perry is a surname of English origin,[1] deriving from either the Old English pyrige (pear tree), referring to one who dwells by a pear tree. There are some variants in the Romance or Romantic languages (derived from the Latin): Pereira, Pereyra, Pereyro, Pereiro, Pereiros Pereire, Perera, Perer, Perero, Pereros;[2] the Norman French perrieur (quarry), possibly referring to a quarryman.[2] Perry was recorded as a surname from the late 16th century in villages near Colchester, Essex, East England, such as Lexden and Copford.[3]

One source suggests the name is of ancient Norman origin and was found in Hampshire in 1066 according to the Domesday Book.[4] Their name, however, is a reference to the Old English word perie, meaning pear tree. The family held a seat there on lands granted by Duke William of Normandy, their liege lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

American Immigrant Derivations

Perry has some resemblance with the Portuguese common surname Pereira, which means pear tree in Portuguese language. Because of that, many Portuguese immigrants to the USA (especially Massachusetts) chose to "Americanize" their Pereira surname to Perry. The Italian surname, Perri, related to "Peter," is also often Americanized to Perry. In addition, many early Welsh immigrants to the southern American colonies arrived without knowing how to read or write, so the name Parry, derived from the Welsh "Ap Harry" meaning Harrison, often became Perry.

Geographical Distribution

At the time of the United Kingdom Census of 1881, the frequency of the surname Perry was highest in the following counties:[5]

As of 2014, the frequency of the surname was highest in the following countries and territories:[5]

As of 2014, 67.0% of all known bearers of the surname Perry were residents of the United States. The frequency of the surname was higher than national average in the following U.S. states:

The frequency of the surname was highest (over 10 times the national average) in the following U.S. counties:

People

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Perry Meaning and Distribution". forebears.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2014
  2. 1 2 http://genealogy.about.com/library/surnames/p/bl_name-PERRY.htm
  3. ↑ Select surnames - Perry
  4. ↑
  5. 1 2 Perry Surname Distribution
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