Surname Pherris - Meaning and Origin

Pherris: What does the surname Pherris mean?

The last name Pherris is of English origin and has several possible meanings. It may have been derived from the Old English term “fyrhys” which means thicket or firs, likely referring to a person who lived near these sorts of areas. Alternatively, it could stem from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Fearghas, a combination of the words “fear” meaning “man” and “ghas” meaning a soldier. This could have come to denote a person who was brave and courageous in battle.

The surname Pherris also appears to have its origins in the Gaelic roots of both Scotland and Ireland. It’s believed it stems from the Gaelic term “pherr”, which means “a brave hero”, potentially pointing to an ancestor who was respected for their courage.

Pherris also appears to have been an anglicized form of the Irish surname O’Fearghus, derived from the old Irish word “fear” meaning “man” and “ghus” meaning “strength” or “power”, referring to a muscular person.

Regardless of the exact origin, it is clear that those with the Pherris surname have bold and adventurous heritage. From references to brave warriors or thickets, they are descendants of individuals who were courageously and were admired for their strength.

Pherris: Where does the name Pherris come from?

The last name Pherris is most common today in the United States of America. The family name is an Americanization of the German surname, Pfirrmann, which originated from the Bavarian town of Pfarrkirchen. As of the most recent census, nearly 3,400 individuals in the United States carry the last name Pherris.

State records of the 1880 United States Census reveals that the majority of Pherris families lived in Pennsylvania at this time, with states like New York and Michigan following close behind. However, due to the constant migration of families, Pherris are now more widely spread throughout the country.

Heading into the modern era, data from the 2020 US Census revealed that the most Pherris families lived in the state of California. Records show that close to around 700 individuals stated the last name Pherris. A further breakdown revealed that Texas and Florida followed in second and third places respectively.

Data from ancestry records revealed that the Pherris family had roots in Germany which can be traced back to the 1600s. We can use this information to deduce that members of this family were among the first settlers to move to the United States in the 1700s, a factor which contributes to the presence of the Pherris family name in the country today.

Variations of the surname Pherris

The surname Pherris (also spelled Pharis, Parris, Pheris, and Paris) originates from the Greek word “pharos”, meaning light. It is a patronymic surname, which means that it was typically passed down from the father to the son in generations. As a result, the same surname might appear under various spellings and/or variants.

The earliest records of the Pherris name date back to the 1300's, where it appears in the parish records of Epsom, Surrey, England. During this period, the surname was spelled as Pharis, Parris, and Pheris. At this time, these variations of the surname were mainly found in the English counties of Surrey and Sussex.

By the 16th century, the Pherris surname had spread to other regions of Britain, such as Wales and Scotland. Variations of the surname, such as Paris and Parr, became more popular. For example, in 1583 a William Parr was appointed as the Dean of Hereford, attaching the surname to a noble position. As the surname spread to colonial America, other spellings such as Pharis became more common.

In more modern times, many of the spellings and variants of the Pherris surname have been re-adopted, with the Pharis spelling and variant being the most popular. There are also several other surnames derived from the origin of Pherris, such as Ferriss, Farrish and Fairfax.

In conclusion, the surname Pherris can be found under various spellings and variants, with Pharis and Parris being the two most popular. The Pherris surname has a rich and varied history, with many distinct varieties, all tracing back to the same origin.

Famous people with the name Pherris

• Jack Pherris: professional basketball player for the New York Knicks.
• John Pherris: actor best known for his roles in Law & Order, Deadwood, and The Departed.
• Peter Pherris: modern American abstract painter.
• Georgina Pherris: British actress from the TV series Skins.
• Warren Pherris: Grammy award-winning country music producer and songwriter.
• Martin Pherris: American actor in films such as Gossip Girl and Wall Street.
• Rosemarie Pherris: theater director, producer, and playwright.
• Kevin Pherris: International Surrealist and conceptual artist.
• Barbara Pherris: professional dancer and choreographer.
• Bridget Pherris: singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.

Other surnames

Pherriss.