A Fun, Fact-Filled Look at the Meaning and Origin of the
Perry Surname
Perry Meaning and Origin
The meaning of the Perry surname varies significantly based on its origin.
English Origin:
In England, Perry is an occupational or geographical surname, denoting a “dweller by the pear tree.” This interpretation comes from the Old English word “pirige,” pinpointing individuals who either lived in close proximity to pear orchards or were involved in the cultivation or trade of pears.
The earliest recorded bearers of this surname were Richard de la Pirie, listed in the Hundred Rolls of 1274, and William atte Perye, mentioned in the Close Rolls of 1352. Interestingly, the name was particularly prevalent in the southwestern counties of England, such as Somerset, Cornwall, and Gloucestershire, where pear orchards were likely abundant. Additionally, the surname had a stronghold in the southeastern county of Essex, with records dating back to the late 16th century in villages like Lexden and Copford.
Welsh Origin:
The Welsh origin of the Perry surname is closely tied to the patronymic form “ap Harry” or “ap Herry,” which later evolved into “Parry” and “Perry.”
One of the earliest recorded instances of this name is John ap Harry in 1407 from the border county of Herefordshire. The Parrys of Golden Valley in Herefordshire and the Parry family from Llandefailog Tre’r Graig in Breconshire were among the prominent bearers of this name in the region.
North Wales, particularly areas like Flintshire and the Llyn peninsula, also had a notable presence of Parrys, some of whom became well-known as poets and musicians. Notably, the surname’s transition from “Parry” to “Perry” was more common in the Welsh borders and northern parts of Wales.
Anglo-French-Latin Origin:
Diving deeper into its etymological roots, Perry can also trace its lineage back to the French “Perre/Pierre” (a name equivalent to Peter) with an added English diminutive suffix “-y.”
Another layer comes from the French word “Perré,” denoting “of the stony place,” which is derived from “perre/pierre” (meaning stone or rock, from the Latin “petra”). While this origin is less prominent, it illustrates the surname’s potential association with individuals residing in rocky or stony areas.
Perry is an alcoholic drink 🍹 crafted from the fermentation of pear juice, akin to cider in both its creation method and alcohol level, which can soar up to 8.5%. The art of making Perry 🍐 has historically been rooted in three English counties—Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire—alongside counties bordering Wales.
Perry Last Name Variations
Virtually all surnames have developed phonetic and spelling variations over many centuries in many countries. A person’s last name was often spelled however it sounded to the person recording it.
When you’re researching your branch of the Perry family tree, you may find that your ancestors used one or more of these variations of the Perry surname: Paré, Parray, Parry, Pera, Pere, Peri, perie, Perré, Perret, Perri, Perye, Petry, Pierre.
Many Portuguese immigrants to the USA 🇺🇸, especially in Massachusetts and the San Francisco Bay Area, transformed their surname from “Pereira” (which means pear tree 🍐 in Portuguese) to Perry. 🌳🇵🇹➡️🇺🇸
Perry Surname Geography
The Perry surname currently ranks as the 1,408th most common last name in the world and can be found in more than 160 countries. It’s estimated that over 380,000 people bear the last name Perry.
There are about 275,000 people with the last name Perry in the United States, where it is most prevalent. The distribution within the country shows the most Perrys in California (9%), Texas (8%), and North Carolina (6%).
Outside the United States, about 11% of all Perrys live in England. The last name is also popular in Australia, Canada, Liberia, New Zealand, and France.
Places Named Perry
There are 24 places named Perry in the United States:
- Perry, Arkansas
- Perry, California
- Perry, Florida
- Perry, Georgia
- Perry, Illinois
- Perry, Iowa
- Perry, Kansas
- Perry, Louisiana
- Perry, Maine
- Perry, Michigan
- Perry, Mississippi
- Perry, Missouri
- Perry, Nebraska
- Perry, New York
- Perry, North Carolina
- Perry, Ohio
- Perry, Oklahoma
- Perry, Oregon
- Perry, South Carolina
- Perry, Texas
- Perry, Utah
- Perry, Vermont
- Perry, Washington
- Perry, West Virginia
Places named Perry outside the United States:
- Perry, Wellington, New Zealand
- Perry, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Perry, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Stephen Perry, a visionary British inventor of the 19th century, patented the rubber band on March 17, 1845, transforming vulcanized rubber into an everyday essential. Next time you use one, remember, it’s Perry genius at work! 🌟
Perry DNA Project
The Perry Surname Project is a genetic genealogy initiative that aims to help researchers with the Perry surname break through long-standing brick walls in their family histories. With 364 current participants, the project’s main goal is to use Y-chromosome DNA analysis to determine common paternal ancestors among Perry descendants from all over the world. While open to both male and female participants researching the Perry line, the project relies specifically on Y-DNA testing of males carrying the Perry surname, as the Y-chromosome passes down virtually unchanged from father to son for generations.
Perry Ancestry Resources
- The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales: Comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time. London: Harrison.
- Perry, Hext McCall. Materials towards a genealogy of the Perry family, 1884.
- Adams, Bertram. An Incomplete History of the Descendants of John Perry of London, 1604-1954. Salt Lake City: Utah Print. Co., 1955.
- Sinnett, Charles N. (Charles Nelson), b. 1847. Our Perry Family in Maine; Its Ancestors and Descendants. Lewiston, Me., The Journal printshop, 1911.
- Winborne, Benj. B. (Benjamin Brodie). Perry Family of Hertford Co. N.C. [Raleigh, N.C., Edwards], 1909.