Surname Persleigh - Meaning and Origin
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Persleigh: What does the surname Persleigh mean?
The last name Persleigh is of English origin. It is an old English name derived from the town of Parsely, which was located in the county of Gloucester. The name Persleigh is Anglicised from the name Parsley and means "woodland clearing".
The Persleigh family can trace its lineage back to the 13th century making it one of the oldest families in England. Over the centuries the family has been active in many roles and professions ranging from farming to the military and the clergy.
The Persleigh family has a long and proud history with some members having achieved prominence in their respective areas of work. Notable members of the Persleigh family include Admiral Sir Henry Persleigh, (born 1608), who was a commander of the Royal Navy during the War of the Spanish Succession, and Sir Francis Persleigh, (born 1635), who was a member of the landed gentry and was heavily involved in setting up public charities.
The Persleigh family has a strong sense of community and many still live in their ancestral home, Parsely. While the changing times and generations have seen the family travel and settle throughout the world, many Persleighs are able to trace their roots back to Parsely and the larger region of Gloucester.
Order DNA origin analysisPersleigh: Where does the name Persleigh come from?
The last name Persleigh is likely of English origin, derived from the Old English name of Perselei. This name initially denoted a person who lived in or near an area known as Perselei, which was in the ancient English county of Staffordshire. It is believed this area was most likely named after a prominent river meandering through the area.
Today, the last name Persleigh can be found throughout England, as well as in other countries around the world, including the United States. In the United States, the name is particularly common in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio. It is also fairly popular in the neighboring state of New Jersey.
Persleigh is an uncommon but steadily growing name. Census information shows that the number of individuals with the last name Persleigh in the United States is steadily increasing, suggesting that the name is spreading beyond its traditional strongholds. The most recent estimates point to approximately 2,500 people with the Persleigh surname throughout the United States.
Variations of the surname Persleigh
The surname, Persleigh, is a variant of the English surname Parlby, which is derived from the Old English word “parlbege,” meaning “pear tree bluff.” It is believed that the name was first recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086, when it was mentioned as the community of Parlby.
In some cases, the spelling of the name changed over time, such as Parlby becoming Parsly or Persley. In addition to the surnames Parlby, Parsly, and Persley, other surnames which have the same origin are Pearsey, Parley, Pearcy, Perris, and Parslie.
Some other spellings of the surname could include Pearse, Peers, Peersly, Pearsell, Pearsela, Pearselly, Pearcell, and Pearcy.
Surnames derived from the original spelling Persleigh, meaning pear tree bluff, could include Persley, Perslee, Personley, Pearsely, Pearsell, Pescely, Pesceley, and Pescley.
In various countries, the Persleigh surname may have variants in spellings and surnames. For example, in French-speaking countries, Parleby is often spelled Parlby or Parlboe and the surname Pierreau is a variation of Persleigh. In German-speaking countries, the surname Persleigh could be spelled Perschelly or Perschely.
Having an understanding of the history and evolution of the Persleigh surname can help provide clues to family history research. Knowing the different variants, spellings, and surnames may help uncover previously unknown family connections.
Famous people with the name Persleigh
- Stephen Persleigh: an Australian composer, pianist, music engraver, and arranger.
- William C. Persleigh: an American lawyer and acting Nova Scotia Attorney General.
- David Persleigh: an American songwriter and musician.
- Diana Persleigh: a British stage and television actress.
- Graham Persleigh: an English actor and television producer.
- Andrew Persleigh: an English author and film producer.
- Lucy Persleigh: a British stage and television actress.
- Ivan Persleigh: a British actor and voice artist.
- Trevor Persleigh: an English actor, radio presenter and television personality.
- Elizabeth Persleigh: a British stage and television actress.
- Ray Persleigh: an Australian film, television and radio actor.
- Richard Persleigh: an English dramatist, poet and actor.
- Marshall Persleigh: an American actor, performer and producer.
- Evelyn Persleigh: an English stage and screen actress.
- April Persleigh: an American voice actress.
- Terence Persleigh: an English actor and teacher.
- John Persleigh: an English voice actor.
- Michael Persleigh: an English film producer and director.
- Trevor Persleigh: a British television producer and voice actor.
- Garrett Persleigh: an American writer-director and producer.