Surname Purdy - Meaning and Origin

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W. Purdy

Purdy: What does the surname Purdy mean?

The last name Purdy is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle English word "purde," which means "brave" or "gallant". It is likely that it was initially used as a nickname for a courageous person before becoming a hereditary surname. Over centuries, its spelling has evolved, and variants of the name include Purdie, Purdew, and Purdoe. Purdy families were predominantly found in Northumberland in Northeast England, where they held estates and served important roles within the emerging feudal society. Today, bearers of this surname can be found in many parts of the world due to the migration of people over the centuries.

Purdy: Where does the name Purdy come from?

The last name Purdy is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census of 2020, it is the 4,396th most common surname in the country. The name is even more common in Canada, where it is ranked 332nd.

The surname is especially common in the Northeastern United States. It is the 442nd most common surname in New York State and it is especially popular in the Greater New York City area. In Massachusetts, it is ranked 246th most common, and in New Jersey it is the 148th most popular surname.

In the South, the last name Purdy is highest in Virginia, where it is the 543rd most popular. It is also present in Kentucky, but ranks much lower at 2,133rd. From there it jumps up to Wisconsin, where it is the 542nd most common. The last name also appears in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but in much fewer numbers than the other states.

The last name Purdy is also present in many European countries, though generally in much lower numbers than in the United States and Canada. It is the 166th most popular last name in Scotland and the 176th most popular in England. Moving into Eastern Europe, it is the 8th most popular in Slovakia and the 20th most popular in Hungary.

It is safe to say that the last name Purdy is most common in the United States and Canada, though it is also present to a lesser degree in many other countries.

Variations of the surname Purdy

The surname Purdy is believed to originate in the Middle Ages. It is thought to be an English surname derived from the Old French phrase "par dieu," which translates to "by God" and was likely used as an expression of faith and fidelity. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Purdy include Pardee, Pardey, Pardie, Pardey, Parry, Parrie, Parries, Pardou, Perdy, Purdey, Purdie, Purdy, and Purdys.

Purdy has been a popular surname in Britain and the USA, often shortened from Pardies or Pardews. Pardey can be traced back to the French region of Picardy, which became part of France in 1558. Early recordings of the surname Pardey date back to the 15th century when it was used as a nickname for someone who was devoted and faithful to their religious beliefs.

Americanized spelling of the surname can include Priddy, Prady, Prudy, Pardway, Parkey, and Parr, which were common in the colonial and early 1800s. Homeowners with the surname Purdy or its variants can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Scotland.

In Scotland, the name Purdie is believed to come from a place-name, and it has been documented as far back as the late fourteenth century. Records show that in the late eighteenth century, Purdie was the most common spelling in Scotland. Today, Purdie is often lumped in with other similar Scottish surnames such as Proudfoot, Pruidy and Proudlock.

In Ireland, Purdy is most likely of Anglo-Irish descent, with its earliest known record in County Cork in the mid-1800s. The Irish variant Purdie is more common in Northern Ireland, where it is an Anglicization of the Gaelic name O'Crochadha.

Some modern variants of Purdy may also include Perdy and Petty. However, Petty would more likely be an entirely different surname with a separate Middle English origin. It is derived from the Old French word 'perdit,' meaning 'the lost one.'

Famous people with the name Purdy

• DJ Purdy: An English-Canadian DJ and producer, DJ Purdy has been producing music since the late 90s.
• Jason Purdy: An American film director and cinematographer, Jason Purdy has directed and starred in films such as The Doorman and Orange Sunshine.
• Meagan Purdy: An American singer and songwriter, Megan Purdy has released three singles to date, and is signed to a major label.
• Alyson Purdy: An American actress, Alyson Purdy is best known for her roles in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Step Up Revolution.
• Roger Purdy: An American journalist and author, Roger Purdy has written six books on a variety of topics, including the history of cinema and American politics.
• Mark Purdy: An American sports columnist, radio personality and author, Mark Purdy's contributions have been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
• Luke Purdy: An American MMA fighter, Luke Purdy has competed for the UFC since 2008, with notable wins over Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz and The Ultimate Fighter winner Kevin Lee.
• Peter Purdy: An English television presenter and actor, Peter Purdy is best known for his role as the presenter of the Cbeebies series Construction Joe.
• Sarah Purdy: An Australian artist, designer and illustrator, Sarah Purdy has gained notable success, winning numerous awards for her creativity in both art and design.
• Dan Purdy: A Canadian musician and songwriter, Dan Purdy has released one EP to date, with his debut, Next Time, being released in 2019.

Other surnames

Purdue