Surname Parr - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey of Self-Discovery: My Experiences with iGENEA and Unravelling the Parr Lineage
Embarking on the iGENEA DNA test journey was filled with anticipation and curiosity, leading to surprising and enlightening revelations about the Parr lineage. The knowledge has transformed the perception of the surname, fostering a heightened sense of connection to a larger world linked together by DNA.
G. Parr
read moreParr: What does the surname Parr mean?
The surname Parr is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'pearroc' which means 'enclosure' or 'park'. Thus, it was originally used to describe a person who lived near such a place, making it a locational or topographical surname. It is also associated with locations in Lancashire and Yorkshire named Parr.
Some early records of this name date back to the 12th century with the spellings Parre or Pares in various documents. During medieval times, English surnames became hereditary and began used as identities. Often, they were influenced by a person's occupation, geographical location, physical traits, or a notable ancestor.
One of the most famous bearers of this name is probably Catherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII of England, who outlived him. As with all surnames, the exact origins can be difficult to trace due to the variance in spelling and recording over centuries. The specific meaning or significance can therefore also vary and be influenced by individual family history.
Order DNA origin analysisParr: Where does the name Parr come from?
The last name Parr has seen fluctuating levels of popularity, depending on the geographical area. It is most common in England, with the majority of families having descended from a single individual from Cumberland in the 12th century. It is also seen in some parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, and the United States.
In the United Kingdom, Parr is the 1241st most common family name today, with 4,239 families bearing the name living in the country as of the 2011 census. This represented a 3% decrease from the same period in 2001. In Scotland, the same census showed that the name had dropped 7% in the same time period, with a total of 582 families and 1,578 individuals bearing the name.
In the United States, the last name Parr is much less common. The 2010 census gave the family name Parr a rank of 5,180 nationally, with 15,647 people living in the country having the surname. It was most common in California, with a concentration of families living in Yuba County in the northern part of the state.
Overall, the last name Parr is most common in England and Scotland, with a decreasing presence in other parts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Parr
The surname Parr can originate from multiple sources, and as such has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One source is Anglo-Saxon in origin, coming from the Old English personal name 'Færhe' meaning 'journey' or 'departure' as well as the Old Norse personal name 'Párr', meaning 'son of'. This contributed to surnames such as Pearch, Pargh, Parrish, Parfitt, and Parfitt.
From Scottish, the surname Parr derives from the late Gaelic personal name Parran, which means 'small Peter'. This can be seen in surnames such as MacPharron, MacPherson, and McParren.
In Irish culture, the surname Parr was a translation of the Gaelic Ó Paráin, which can also be found in various spelling varieties such as Pareen, Peehran. This usually originated from the region of County Cork, but has also been found in County Clare and County Wexford. Variations of this surname include Perren, Perrin, and Piran.
In Welsh culture, the surname Parr is derived from ap-Harry, meaning 'son of Harry'. This was originally a Welsh personal name, and can be found in the surnames Parrish, Parry, Parratt, and Parrott.
In Germany, the surname Parr can come from an Old Germanic name Pfarrer, meaning 'priest'. Variations of these names are appear in the United States as Pfarr, Pfeiffer and Pfaffer.
In the Netherlands, the surname Parr is a locational name and can be found in spellings such as Peirsz, Peirsen, Peirsman, Peersen, and Peerse. This comes from living on either the River Parret or near a place called Parrode.
Overall, the surname Parr has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These can be found within Anglo-Saxon, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Dutch lineages.
Famous people with the name Parr
- Helen Parr (a.k.a. Mrs. Incredible), the beloved heroine from Pixar's hit The Incredibles
- Thomas Parr, a famous 16th century Englishman who lived to be 152 years old
- Mary Parr, a 16th century woman once known as "the old, tedious, good woman of England"
- William Parr, 1st Marquess of Northampton and brother to Queen Katherine Parr
- Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII
- David Parr, a British actor who appeared in The Crown and Great Expectations
- Barry Parr, an Australian actor and The Voice contestant
- Cathy Parr, an award-winning composer and songwriter
- Louise Parr, an English actress who has appeared in both TV and film
- Rhys Parr, a British professional footballer who played for Everton and Rochdale