Surname Purgason - Meaning and Origin
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Purgason: What does the surname Purgason mean?
The surname Purgason is not very common and its exact origin and meaning are not clearly known or widely established. It appears to have roots in the British Isles, according to some genealogical resources. The name may be a variation of the surname "Purvis," which is of Norman origin and derived from the Old French word "pourveor," meaning "provider" or "supplier."
Variations of surnames often indicate a branch of the family, or a distinct group of individuals who initially took on the surname. Variations of a last name can occur for many reasons, including translation errors, phonetic spelling, cultural adaptations, or changes made over time.
The Purgason surname can be found in records in the southern regions of the United States, particularly in North Carolina, from the 18th century onward. Though specific meanings attributed to this particular spelling variation have not been definitively established, it likely pertains to geographical, occupational, or personal characteristics of the name's initial bearers. However, without more conclusive research into the family's history and origin, the precise meaning remains somewhat speculative.
Order DNA origin analysisPurgason: Where does the name Purgason come from?
The last name Purgason is most commonly seen in the United States as it is an Americanized version of the Gaelic surname, MacPharguson. MacPherguson found its way to the US in the 1700s, when many Scots emigrated over for religious freedom and economic opportunity. Since then, the Purgason family name has grown to become one of the most common in America.
Today, Purgason can be found in all 50 states and is particularly prevalent in the South. Many generations later, the name can be traced back to early settlers and colonial citizens. The family tree stretches through state after state, and likely contains some famous individuals such as Nancy Hanks, the mother of intervening US president Abraham Lincoln, who was from a Purgason family in Virginia.
The largest concentrations of people with the Purgason name today can be seen in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, and California. It is also noteworthy that the name appears in different spellings, such as Pargason and Purgeson.
Although the exact origin of the Purgason name is difficult to trace, it is clear that the name is associated with strength, loyalty, and stability. As the family has grown and adapted to the ever-changing times, the Purgason legacy still stands proud to this day.
Variations of the surname Purgason
The surname Purgason has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include the variants of Pergason, Purgeson, Pargasone, Perguson, Purgesunne, Purgesoun, Pargesoun, Purgesaun, Pargesaun, Purgasonne, Pargesoun, Purgesun, Pergeson, and Parrgesoun.
The exact origin and meaning of the surname have been lost to time, though the two shared elements of the name suggest a connection to a personal name derived from the Old English roots of ‘Pur’, meaning ‘magnificent’, and ‘gare’, referring to a spear.
The first recorded example of the surname is believed to be William Purgeson, appearing in the Suffolkshire Hundred Rolls of 1276. Early spellings of the name were varied, with other early examples including Roger Purgason (1327 in Wiltshire), Willelmus Purgasun (1330 in Lincolnshire) and Thomas Pergason (1413 in London). These spellings would likely be interchangeable throughout the following centuries, with the simpler, one-word surname of Purgason being more popular by the 18th century.
The more modern variant of the name is typically associated with the Midlands of England, though examples can be found throughout the country. Records also exist as far afield as Canada and New Zealand, where descendants of the same line migrated in search of a better life.
No matter the spelling, the surname Purgason likely describes a man of strength, ready to meet any coming challenge with a spear in hand.
Famous people with the name Purgason
- Kyle Purgason: Born in 1996, Kyle is an actor and musician who has starred in films such as Hostage of the Motherland (2009) and films such as Sushi Man (2013).
- Dr. Billie Jean Purgason: Born in 1939, Dr. Purgason is a chemist who has devoted a large portion of her career to researching and educating on environmental science and precedent-establishing bioremediation techniques.
- Melinda Purgason: Melinda is an Olympic gold medalist and contemporary artist who completed in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games.
- Ted Purgason: Ted is an award-winning musician and producer who has released several albums and been nominated for two Grammys for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and Best Instrumental Arrangement.
- James Purgason: James is a bodybuilder and former fitness model who was the IFBB's 2011 International Pro Winner.
- Brian Purgason: Brian is an emergency medical technician who has been awarded for his outstanding service by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
- Walker Purgason: Walker is a major league pitcher for the Texas Rangers who was selected for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
- Barry Purgason: Barry is a business mogul who founded several tech companies, including the now-defunct online streaming service Upright Video.
- Sean Purgason: Sean is an actor and producer whose credits include the films Chicken of the Sea (2014) and The Watchers (2011).
- Lynn Purgason: Lynn is a professional goalkeeper who currently plays for the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.