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 Surnames P



 Palmer,
is an English nickname for the man who had been on a pilgramage to the Holy Land, from Middle English, Old French palmer, paumer (they generally brought back a palm branch as proof of the journey's success. Variations are Palmar, Paumier, Palmes . Cognates exist in several languages.

 Parker,
English Occupational name for the man who was the gamekeeper at the medieval park.

 Parks,
English Occupational name, along with Park, for the dweller in the enclosed woods which was stocked with game for royal use.

 Parkinson,
Although it is possible to find the Surname Parkinson and its variants Parkerson and Parkins in Scotland, the name is ultimately of English origin. It is patronymic in origin, belonging to the category of surnames derived from the first name of the father of the initial bearer. In this instance, the name indicates "son of Parkin", a diminutive of Par or Per, pet forms of the personal name Peter. The personal name Peter is derived from the Latin "Petrus", in Greek "Petros", a translation of the Aramaic "Kepfa" meaning "rock, stone". This was the symbolic name Christ bestowed on the apostle Simon: "Petrus et es super hanc petrum (thou art peter and upon this rock I will build my church)". In the Middle Ages parents were encouraged to name their children after saints in the hope of thus evoking the protection of the particular saint. St. Peter being one of the twelve apostles and regarded as the founding father of the Christian church was a popular choice. The earliest record of this surname or a variant dates back to the fourteenth century when one John Parkynson was recorded in the "Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns" in 1379. In 1382 one William Perkynson was listed in the "Assize Rolls" of Warwickshire and Emmet Parkyngsone was mentioned in the "Cartularium Abbathiae de Whiteby" of Yorkshire in 1540. Blazon of Arms: Gules, on a chevron between three ostrich feathers Argent as many mullets sable. Translation: The chevron denotes Protection and Defence and the Mullets indicate Honour and Achievement. Gules (red)symbolises Military fortitude and Magnanimity. Argent(white) signifies Purity and Innocence. Crest: A cubit arm invested or, charged with five ermine spots in saltire sable cuffed Argent, the hand ppr. holding an ostrich feather Gules.

 Parton,
an English place name from several towns called that in medieval England whose names derived from Old English peretun meaning pear orchard, which was derived from OE pere meaning pear + tun meaning enclosure. The pronunciation of -er changed to -ar during the Middle Ages, although some words reverted back through etymological correction.
 Patrick,
is an English patronymic name, from the given name derived from Latin Patricius meaning son of a noble father, member of the patrician class or aristocracy. Pattrick is a variation, and cognates include (French) Patric, Patrice, Patris, Patrix, Patry; (Portuguese) Patricio. Diminutive forms are Padan, Padyn, Pedan, Patricot , and Patrigeon. McPhedric is a Scottish Patronymic form.

 Patton,
is a variation of the English and Scottish surname Pate, which is derived from Pat or Patt, a shortened form of Patrick. Patton is a diminutive form of Pate (which occasionally is a
nickname for a man with a bald head); Patey is another diminutive form. Pates, McPhaid, McPhade, McFade, McPhate, McFait, McFeate are all patronymic variations of Pate.
 Paul,
is the English, French, German, and Flemish/Dutch patronymic name from the Latin name Paulus meaning small, a popular name throughout Christian Europe. It was the name adopted by Saul, a Pharisee of Tarsus, who converted to Christianity and was a industrious missionary during the Roman Empire. Numerous early saints bore the name as well, contributing to its popularity. English variations are Paull, Paule, Pawle ; Pol is a French version; Pahl, Pohl and Paulus are found
in German heritage, and the Flemish/Dutch were Pauwel or Pauel.

 Pavey,
an English matronymic name from the female given name Pavia , which is of unknown origin. Listed variations include Pavy, Pavie , and cognate forms include Pavie, Pavy, Pavese . Pavett, Pavitt are diminutive forms.

 Payne,
is a derivative of Pain, which is an English Patronymic name from the Middle English given name Pain. It comes from the Old French Paien , which came from Latin Paganus -- where pagus meant outlying village.

 Payton,
is an English Place name from Peyton in Sussex, which got its name from the Old English given name Poega + tun meaning settlement, enclosure, meaning literally" Poega's settlement."

 Pearce,
and its variations: Pearce, Pearse, Piers, Peers, Perce, Persse, Perris, (and others) are derived from the English given name Piers, which is a form of the name Peter.
 Perkins,
is a Welsh Patronymic name derived from the given name Peter, which was introduced into the area with William the Conqueror. There were many other varieties in England, but Perkins was most popular in Wales.

 Petrie,
Scottish Patronymic name that is derived from the given name Peter. As a given name, Peter became popular after the Norman conquest of England, and Peter was often used as a surname by itself. Petrie is a dimunitive form of Peter, that was more popular in Scotland.

 Phelps,
In the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries were French kings named Philip, which helped to popularize the name. Among the English variations of Philip, which means 'lover of horses' is Phelps.

 Phillips, Philips,
Philip was an extremely popular name in medieval times -- Philip was one of the apostles, and four French kings were named Philip from the 11th to the 13th century. The name -- which means 'lover of horses' -- came into England from France at the time of the conquest. Philips is patronymic (named after the father Philip, whose sons would be referred to as Philip's sons). The common Welsh and English version of the surname is spelled with two l's, giving the descendants the surname Phillips. Phillips is a variation of the English, French, Dutch/Flemish, and Danish/Norwegian Patronymic name Phillip/Philip from the Greek name Philippos and elements philein meaning to love + hippos meaning horse. Its popularity seems to have been due to medieval stories about Alexander the Great, whose father was Philip of Macedon. Variations are Philipp, Phillip, Philp, Phelp, Phalp (English); Philippe, Phelip, Felip, Phelit, Philip, Phalip (French); Filip (Flemish/Dutch). There are numerous other diminutive, patronymic, and cognative forms.

 Piercy,
a variation of the English (from the Normans) place name Percy, from any of the several places called that in Northern France, from the Gallo-Roman given name Persius + the local suffix -acum, and was given to the man who emigrated from there, likely as one of the followers of William the Conqueror. Other variants are Percey, Persay, Pearcey, Pearsey, Piercey, Piercy, Pericey , and Pursey. William de Percy (1030-1096) was one such follower -- he accompanied William the Conqueror and settled in the Northumbrian area, where his family was instrumental in holding the English border against the Scots.

 Pollard,
derived from two sources: the Englishman with a closely-cropped or shorn head was described as 'pollard' and for some the name stuck as an English Descriptive name. Other Pollard families were those who lived near the head or the end of the lake, and wound up with an English Place name.

 Preston,
is a Northern English Place name from the numerous locations, including Lancashire) derived from Old English preost meaning Priest + tun meaning enclosure, used to described a village held by the church or village with a priest.

 Proctor,
is an English occupational name that described the steward, and is a contracted form of the Old French word procurateour < Latin procurator meaning agent. The term was used for solicitors, and officials such as collectors of taxes, and agents licensed to collect alms for lepers and monks. Procktor, Procter, Prockter are variations.

 Pye,
is an English surname, primarily found in the Lancashire and E. Anglia areas. It is a nickname given to the man who was especially talkative, or occasionally, given to the man who was prone to pilfering things, as in magpie/magpye. Pye was also occasionally the name given to the baker who specialized in pies. In Italy, the name was known as Pica.

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