Surname Priest - Meaning and Origin
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Priest: What does the surname Priest mean?
The last name Priest is of English origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Old English "preost," which translates to "priest." It was typically given to a person who was employed as a priest or one who played the part of a priest in a play or pageant. It may also have been used ironically for a person considered to be very pious or proper. Characteristics such as these were commonly used to identify individuals in the medieval era, leading to their adoption as surnames. As with many occupational surnames, it does not necessarily indicate that an individual's ancestors held that profession. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, and the practice of using job roles as last names helped to distinguish individuals apart.
Order DNA origin analysisPriest: Where does the name Priest come from?
The last name Priest is found throughout the world, but is particularly common in the United Kingdom. In England and Wales, Priest is one of the top 100 surnames, ranking 88th with approximately 32,400 people bearing the name. Priest is also a popular surname in the United States, where it ranks 1,196th in terms of frequency. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 57,000 people in the US with the last name Priest in 2019. Additionally, Priest appears in the top 1,000 surnames in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand; and it is also found in several other countries, such as India, Argentina, and South Africa.
The surname is believed to have originated either as an occupational name, referring to someone who was a religious official, or as an honorific title; the English word “priest” is derived from the Latin “presbyter” meaning “elder” or “teacher”. Over time, the term became a surname and was passed on from generation to generation. Today, the surname is most commonly associated with members of the Protestant clergy.
Variations of the surname Priest
The surname Priest is derived from the old English pre 7th Century word 'preost' meaning a priest, or someone connected to the church.
Variants of Priest include Preest, Priester, Prest, Preist, Preist, Prist, Pryst, Preste, Priestly, Prestly and Prestwood. Some of these variants are now quite archaic today, typically found in Norman French records.
In addition to these variants, there are some regional spellings. These include Preest in Scotland, Prist in Wales and Preist in Germany.
There are also several surnames that are derived from Priest. These include Prester, Preast, Prestor, Priestey and Prestley.
In conclusion, while Priest is the main form of the surname, there are many variants and corresponding surnames that come from the same origin. Some of the spellings and surnames may be quite rare today, while others have become more established in a specific area.
Famous people with the name Priest
- Jack Priest: two time winner of the National Long Course Lifeguard Championship in Canada.
- Richard Priest: an American Senator from South Carolina.
- Kirsten Priest: a DJ, model and singer-songwriter from the United States.
- Travis Priest: a Minor League Baseball Player in the San Francisco Giants organization.
- Tommy Priest: an English actor and director.
- Baxter Priest: an American Olympic silver medalist in cross-country skiing.
- Joan Priest: a British children's author.
- Steve Priest: an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known as the bassist in the 1970s glam rock band Sweet.
- Joshua Priest: an American architect and Nobel Prize-winning theorist.
- Max Priest: an American hip hop singer, songwriter, and producer.