Surname Pursell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pursell: What does the surname Pursell mean?
The last name Pursell is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Pursel, which originally meant "purse maker." The Pursell's were Pursel's descendants and their locations were scattered throughout the regions of England. Pursell families were recorded in the counties of Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucester, Cornwall, and Warwick as early as the 13th Century.
The Pursells were a family of mostly working class citizens. Many were employed as bakers, carpenters, tinkers, laborers, tailors, and small tradesmen. Because they were able to move from one place to another, the Pursells eventually spread through out the British Isles, most notably Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and the Isle of Man.
The Pursells were also among the earliest pioneers to the American colonies. One family of Pursells traveled to Virginia in the mid-17th Century, while another family of Pursells, led by Thomas Pursell, settled in Pennsylvania in the same time period.
The Pursells have never been a numerically large family, but their influence surely has been substantial. Over its long history, the Pursell family name is associated with many notable occurrences and with individuals who have made significant contributions to the world.
Regardless of time or place, the last name of Pursell is a noble reminder of an ancient Anglo-Saxon family that was hard-working, tenacious, and full of enterprise.
Order DNA origin analysisPursell: Where does the name Pursell come from?
The last name Pursell is most commonly found in the United States, including the state of California and throughout the Midwest. Pursell families can also be found in Canada, Australia, and abroad.
In the United States, the Pursell name is most commonly associated with the Midwest. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Pursell name is the 784th most common last name. The states where it appears most often are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. It is also fairly common in Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin.
Pursell is a Germanic name of Anglo-Saxon origin, first found in the counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The first recorded spelling of the name Pursell was listed in the 1230 Assize Court Rolls of Nottinghamshire. In modern times, Pursell families in the United States are primarily descended from English Pursells.
The Pursells who immigrated to the United States between 1630 and 1700 included members of the Pursell families from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Until the mid-1800s, the Pursells who lived in the United States were primarily farmers, but as the land became scarce, some began to migrate to the cities and other areas in pursuit of greater economic opportunities.
Today, the Pursells are spread across the United States in various places, including California. They are also found in Canada and Australia and other parts of the world. In the United States, they are typically identified as professional or white-collar workers.
Variations of the surname Pursell
The surname Pursell has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Pursell is often spelled as Persell, Pursall, Pursal, Pursill, Pursles, and Purswell. Other commonly found variants include Persons, Persall, and Person. Variants without the 'P' at the beginning have also been found, such as Ursell, Ursall, or Ursell.
Some of the other surnames that have the same origin as Pursell include Brashear, Pershall, Persons, Pursall, Pursley, and Purswell. The surname Brashear is of Scottish origin and is derived from the French Bressard, which is itself derived from the Latin phrase 'Brachium Salvatoris,' meaning 'Arm of the Saviour.' The surnames Pershall, Pursall, Pursley, and Purswell, all include the letter 'P' and are either derived from the Old English 'pur,' meaning 'marsh or stream,' or from the Old French 'pershall,' meaning 'polite.'
The same surname might also have been adapted to include the suffix 'son' at one time; such surnames may have included Person, Persons, and Pursenson.
In conclusion, the surname Pursell has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. While some are spelled with a 'P,' others have different spellings or lack the 'P' entirely. Many of the surnames have origins in either Old English or Old French, while some may have been adapted to include the suffix 'son."
Famous people with the name Pursell
- Jack Pursell: a former professional American football running back in the National Football League (1950-1951).
- Charles L. Pursell: a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force (1972-1974).
- John Pursell: an American politician in the state of Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 150th district (2015-2018).
- Sam Pursell: an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
- Sarah Pursell: a former international competitive swimmer from Australia who held the Australian record in the 800-metre freestyle (1989-1991).
- Richard Pursell: a former English county cricketer who played for Hampshire County Cricket Club (1975-1985).
- Bill Pursell: a Canadian composer who is best known for his instrumental hit single "Our Winter Love" (1962).
- Charles Edward Pursell: an American Democratic politician who served as mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana from 1911 to 1913.
- Alexander Pursell: an Australian artist, designer, sculptor and printmaker who works in a variety of media.
- Earnest Pursell: an American folk musician and singer-songwriter from Massachusetts.