Surname Purcelley - Meaning and Origin

Purcelley: What does the surname Purcelley mean?

The surname Purcelley does not seem to have a widely recognized or documented meaning. It's important to note that the interpretation of any surname can often vary based on its origin, which could be geographical, occupational, or familial. In the case of Purcelley, it's not immediately apparent to which of these categories it belongs. There is a possibility that it could be a variant or anglicized form of an Irish, French, or other European surname. Despite this, specific information about the meaning of 'Purcelley' isn't readily available or well-documented. It's recommended to seek out a professional genealogist or conduct personal ancestral research to gain a more accurate understanding of this specific surname's meaning and origin.

Purcelley: Where does the name Purcelley come from?

The last name Purcelley is most commonly found in the United States, specifically in the South. It is most commonly associated with Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and North and South Carolina. Purcelleys in these states mostly descend from African-American families or from European immigrant families that settled in the South in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The origin of the Purcelley name is largely unknown, as most Southern immigrant families came from countries like Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands; there are no records of the Purcelleys being amongst these groups. Some have theorized the name is a variant of the French surname Purcell, in that during the plantation era, many African-Americans adopted names belonging to their slave owner.

The last name Purcelley is still common in these states, however, it is not as ubiquitous as it once was. It is estimated that more than 12,000 Purcelleys are living in the United States today, with the majority clustering around the previously mentioned Southern states.

Variations of the surname Purcelley

The surname Purcelley has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Purcell, Purcilly, Purcelly, Purcely, Pourcel, Pourcell, Pursel, Pursall, Pursell, Pursill, Purselly, Purcely and Pursley. These variations have been used in different parts of the world.

Purcell is the most commonly used surname and is the English rendering of the original version. It originated in Ireland and is derived from the personal name Piers or Peter, Poundel or Pouget, meaning aloud. The earliest known record containing the surname Purcell appeared in England in 1664.

Purcilly and Purcelly are other variants and vary slightly in spelling from the original, they are found mainly in Scotland. This spelling is derived from the Gaelic expression ‘Puitseal’, meaning son of the sheriff.

The French rendering is Pourcel and Pourcell and originated in the areas of Normandy and Lorraine.

Pursel is the German version and derived from the name Pierz or Peterse with the same meaning as the English rendering. This version can be found in Germany, mainly in the areas of the Bavarian Forest and the Czech Republic.

Pursall, Pursell, Pursill, Purselly and Purcely are the English versions of the surname which evolved due to mis-spellings and phonetic translations. Whilst Pursley is the predominately Scottish rendering.

The variations in spelling that emerged from these translations make it evident that the surname Purcelley is steeped in cultural heritage and is an integral part of many European countries.

Famous people with the name Purcelley

• Jonah Purcelley: reserve offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, previously a standout at Colorado State University Ram-Pueblo.
• Craig Purcelley: senior marketing executive, currently a Vice President at Greystar, a multifamily housing firm focused on apartment rental communities.
• Michael Purcelley: Native American actor, currently appearing on the FX original series 'Legion.'
• Laura Purcelley: New Orleans-based singer-songwriter, performing under the stage name of 'Laura P.'
• Alice Purcelley: English stage actress and singer, most well known for her roles with the prestigious Royal National Theatre.
• Carl Purcelley: small-business owner and former local politician from Hawaii, having previously served in the Hawaii State House of Representatives representing the 42nd District.
• Christopher Purcelley: actor, known for his roles in the films 'Scream 2' and 'Zodiac.'
• Jeff Purcelley: stuntman and actor, having appeared in the feature films 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' and 'Money Train.'
• Clarissa Purcelley: Emmy Award-winning television producer, currently serving as the Vice President of the Bernard-Odell production company.
• Henry Purcelley: physicist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati, having received his doctorate in particle physics.

Other surnames

PurcellPurcelli