Surname Pursey - Meaning and Origin

Pursey: What does the surname Pursey mean?

The last name Pursey is an English surname that dates back to medieval times. It is derived from the Old French phrase "purs aise," meaning "settlement confirmed by treaty." The surname likely refers to a person who dwelled in an area under the assurance or peace established by a negotiated truce or pact.

Pursey is a fairly rare name; it is currently held by less than 500 people in England and Wales, according to the 2020 United Kingdom census. It is mainly prominent in the southwest counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.

During the Middle Ages, people adopted the custom of taking a surname to distinguish themselves from others with the same given name. During this time, Pursey stood as a sign of families' wealth and power, given that settlers had to have the right to use the land that was protected by the peace treaty.

The Pursey name is also associated with a region in England called "Pursey's Combe," which also originates from the Old French language. This site is believed to have been established by an individual of the Pursey family and successfulreaty negotiation in the 13th or 14th century.

Today, the Pursey surname is not limited to the Combe region; it has since spread throughout England and beyond. The Pursey family is still present in the United Kingdom to this day, though it is extremely rare.

Pursey: Where does the name Pursey come from?

The last name Pursey is an English surname that is found mainly in the Southern region of England, but can also be found in other places around the UK and some other parts of the world. It is a geographically widespread last name.

In England, it is most commonly found in the counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Gloucestershire. However, it can also be found in places like London, Derbyshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

Pursey has also been located in the United States, in counties such as New York, Wisconsin, California, and Washington. It was first found in the U.S. in 1790, but its origin in England likely dates back much further.

In Australia, Pursey is found primarily in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. It can also be found in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries.

Overall, Pursey is a historically and geographically diverse last name. It is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of people’s ancestry and the diverse paths of those who travelled throughout history.

Variations of the surname Pursey

The surname Pursey is one of many different spellings and variants of the same origin. Other forms of this surname include: Pursi, Pursee, Purslow, Purser, Pursley, Purslow, Pursely, Purssey, Purchas and Percey.

The Pursey surname originated as a nickname for someone who went about begging, derived from the Middle English word “persie”, meaning “pilgrim”. It is believed to have also derived from the Old English word “pors”, which originally meant “little dog”. The surname is most likely of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be found in records as early as the 11th century.

The surname is mainly found in the counties of Somerset and Devon in the West of England, although it can be found in other parts of the country.

Today, there are many people with this surname who are found in countries around the world, including Australia, the United States and Canada.

In some parts of the world, the surname has been anglicized to Purser or Furse, and even Patel in India, due to immigration.

Overall, the different spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pursey are Purslow, Purser, Pursley, Purslow, Pursely, Purssey, Purchas, Percey, Pursi, Pursee, Purser, Furse and Patel.

Famous people with the name Pursey

• Jimmy Pursey: English singer and songwriter, most known for being the founder and lead vocalist of punk rock band Sham 69.
• Malaika Pursey: British Lifestyle and Fitness influencer.
• Mitzi Pursey: British born actress and singer who has appeared in stage, film, and television productions.
• Johnny Pursey: English professional footballer who played for multiple teams, most notably West Ham United.
• Tony Pursey: British heavyweight boxer who held two British titles during his career.
• Phil Pursey: English paralympic athlete who competed in gliding, cycling and wheelchair basketball.
• Edward Pursey: English classical organist and composer during the Romantic period.
• G.J. Pursey: English trade union leader, and founder of the Workers' Revolutionary League.
• Thomas Pursey: English professional cricketer who represented Gloucestershire in a single first-class match.
• Jonathan Pursey: British sculptor, painter, and installation artist.

Other surnames

PursePursellPurser