Surname Pursley - Meaning and Origin

Pursley: What does the surname Pursley mean?

The surname Pursley is of English origin and it is believed to be geographical, deriving from a place name. It is thought to trace back to an area called "Purleigh" in Essex, England. The name Purleigh itself is believed to have originated from Old English words "pur" meaning "pear" and "leah" meaning "wood or clearing". Therefore, the name could be interpreted as "pear tree wood" or "clearing with pear trees". It is important to note interpretations can vary and be speculative due to the evolution of language and the movement of populations over time. As with many surnames, Pursley would have been adopted at some point as a means of identifying individuals from a particular location. Today people bear the surname Pursley all around the world, although it remains most common in English-speaking countries.

Pursley: Where does the name Pursley come from?

The last name Pursley is most commonly found in the United States today, primarily located in the Southern states. According to the 2019 US Census, approximately 3500 people carry the Pursley surname.

The Pursleys can mostly be found in Alabama and Georgia, where a large population of them reside. The majority of those who carry the name live in these states, but there are many located in other states. Out of the 3500, there are about 500 inhabitants in Mississippi, 300 in Oklahoma, 200 in Arkansas, and over 100 in each remaining Southern state.

The surname Pursley appears to have been derived from the English surname of Piersley/Pearcely. It is likely that the Pursleys originated from the English and made their way to America in the 1600s.

The most common professions among those with the Pursley surname in the US are farming, mining, drilling, and trucking, reflecting the agricultural and industrial past of the South. There is also a small number of Pursleys employed in government and education.

Pursley family members have achieved success in different fields, ranging from medicine to law. Perhaps the most famous Pursley would be Lieutenant General Thomas M. Pursley, a U.S. Army officer who served in Vietnam.

Overall, the Pursleys have a rich, proud history that continues to live on in many families, and are well represented in the states of the American South.

Variations of the surname Pursley

Pursley is an old English surname meaning “dweller by the pear tree meadow”. It has been passed down through families and, over time, taken on multiple variants. The most common versions of the name are Peeler, Pursel, Purselley, Percely, Purcel and Peeles.

When immigrants from England and Scotland migrated to America, many of their surnames were misinterpreted or misspelled. As a result, the surnames Pursley and its variants have been found with various spellings in the United States, such as PErselle, PERICLE, PURCELLY, PERSELL, PURCELYE, PURCELY, PURCELL, PERSLEY, PURSLY, PERRISLAY, PERSELEY, and PERCEL.

Occasionally, the surname Pursley is also encountered as Persley, Pursly, Purslan, Purslin, Purslane, Purselen, Pursling, Porslee, Peeler, Parselee, and Persel. Surnames that have similar origins and sound like Pursley may include Pursglove, Purschel, Percival, Parsell, Pursell, Porsch and Parsley.

People with the surname Pursley can trace their roots back to England and Scotland. It is believed that the name originated in Scotland and was brought to England by Scottish immigrants in the 18th century. Those who have the surname usually have a deep appreciation for their descendants and their remarkable history.

Famous people with the name Pursley

• Heather Pursley, American Olympic swimmer.
• Kory Pursley, American football player.
• Jelani Pursley, American bodybuilder.
• Sarah Pursley, American model.
• Kenny Pursley, American voice-over artist.
• Ted Pursley, American former professional baseball player.
• Nicole Pursley, American Attorney and former Miss Alabama.
• Kayla Pursley, British actress.
• Gareth Pursley, British actor.
• Thomas Pursley, British engineer and mathematician.
• Kirk Pursley, American former professional baseball player.
• Peter Pursley, Australian former professional footballer.
• Toni Pursley, American airborne soldier in World War II.
• Jordan Pursley, British former professional rugby union player.
• Guy Pursley, Australian television and radio host.
• William Pursley, Jr., American former professional baseball player.

Other surnames

Purslay