Surname Puryear - Meaning and Origin
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Puryear: What does the surname Puryear mean?
The last name Puryear is an English and Irish surname derived from a place name. The Puryear family likely had their roots in the Norman village of Ponthieu in northern France which was the town of Ponthieu until 1066. The name is derived from the Old French term "pont" and "hieu" meaning bridge and flowing water. The family who took the name were likely aristocrats who owned some of the land near the Ponthieu bridge.
The meaning of the name is "dweller near the bridge over the flowing water." This location had an important role for members of the Puryear family and provided them with practical advantages like protection through the defensibility of a bridge as well as economic advantages due to the advantageous trading position.
The Puryear family later migrated to Ireland and eventually took root in England and Scotland around the 14th century. In Scotland, where the family name is most commonly found, the name took on several different spellings including Perrie, Perreau, Purie, and Purryer.
The Puryear family has a long and distinguished history and its members have achieved notable success in many areas. The most well-known member of the family is American sculptor Martin Puryear whose work is hailed as some of the best in the modern art world.
The name Puryear is a great example of how a powerful family can leave an indelible mark on history and today’s culture. Through their successes, the Puryear family has cemented their name in the annuls of time.
Order DNA origin analysisPuryear: Where does the name Puryear come from?
The last name Puryear can be found predominantly in the United States, particularly in the southern states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama. However, there are also many people with the Puryear surname in other states such as Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia.
The Puryear family were originally given the name in the British Isles, by settlers who moved from Europe to the United States in the 1600s and 1700s. Since then, the Puryear family has grown exponentially, with numerous branches of the Puryear surname now living throughout the US.
The original spelling of the Puryear name was 'Pure-year'. It is believed to have originated in the French phrase pur an, which translates to 'throughout the year'. This expression alludes to the hard work, diligence, and loyalty required to work the farming land all year round.
The spelling of the surname began to change depending on where the family settled in the US. For example, the spelling of the Puryear name in Georgia and Alabama became slightly different from that of the family in 98 Mississippi and their North Carolina descendents.
Regardless of the state, the Puryear family is still a proud one. The Puryear last name often appears as an honourable addition to historical memories, most notably in the Civil War and other parts of American history. Nowadays, the Puryear name is still recognised and respected as a family of hardworking, resilient, and loyal people.
Variations of the surname Puryear
The surname Puryear is derived from the Old French term “pueraire” and can be found in the English, French, and German language. Throughout the centuries, the surname has taken on several different variants, spells, and surnames.
In England, the surname is spelled differently with a variety of “Pury” variants such as “Purrey, Purrie, Purry, Puryea and Purrea.” In Scotland, it is mostly seen as Puryear, Redpath, and Gray. In Ireland, the variant is spelled as Periera and Poweria. In France, it is spelled Poueyre, Poirie, Puer, and Puirer. In Germany, it is spelled Perri, Pfarrhauer, Pihrer, and Parahauer.
The variants of the surname Puryear not only demonstrate the history of the name but also reveal the different spellings and forms of the name in countries across the world. In addition, other surnames like Pury (English), Purie (Scotland), Purr (Wales), and Parure (Romania) are all derivatives of the original Puryear surname.
The various iterations of this surname are evidence of the migration of families throughout the centuries. It also provides a glimpse into the different cultures and languages that make up our shared heritage.
Famous people with the name Puryear
- Martin Puryear: American artist and sculptor
- DeMaurice Smith: Executive Director of the National Football League's Players Association
- James Puryear: Actor, director and producer
- William Puryear: American actor and poet
- Bobby Puryear: Former National Basketball Association player
- Thomas Puryear: American musician and songwriter
- Henry Puryear: American political scientist and public administrator
- William Puryear Jr.: Former United States Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia
- Jean Gordon Puryear: Scientist, author, and lecturer
- Stephen Puryear: Former Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at USAA