Surname Purington - Meaning and Origin
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Purington: What does the surname Purington mean?
The surname Purington is of English origin and it is believed to be a geographical surname. Geographical surnames were given to a person based on a prominent local geographic feature or the name of a locality. It is considered to be derived from a location name such as Purrington in Devon, England. Moreover, some families might have gotten this name after moving to a place called "Purrington," thus becoming "Purington" over time. Over the centuries, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames often evolved, hence the variance in the name. Much like many surnames, an exact meaning cannot be confirmed as surnames often represented an association rather than an interpretation. It’s worth noting that in early English "purin" could mean a pear tree, and "ton" often referred to a town or settlement. Meaning, it could potentially be a designation for someone who lived near a pear orchard or in a town known for its pear trees. Official records for the Purington name can be traced back to 17th century New England in the United States, suggesting it has been in usage for at least several hundred years.
Order DNA origin analysisPurington: Where does the name Purington come from?
The last name Purington is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, the name is concentrated mainly in New England and along the eastern coast. Early examples of the Purington name in the US date back to the late 17th century when Benjamin Purington was recorded as living in Massachusetts in 1693.
More current estimates estimate that there are more than 8,700 individuals in the US with the Purington surname, with a population concentration in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Additionally, Purington is an uncommon but quite old name in England, where it has been found mainly in Hampshire and Dorset.
The Purington name is a habitational name derived from Purnington in Lancashire. It likely originated as a locative surname, meaning one hailing from the village that bears the same name. The name is derived from Old English and can be translated to mean 'town of Pura's people'.
Variations of the surname Purington
The surname Purington originates from the Old English words purit (town) and tun (enclosure or settlement). Variants and spellings of this surname include Puryngton, Purinton, Purrington, Puringdon, and Puringston.
Variants of the Purington surname can be found in countries that were part of the old British Empire, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England and Scotland. Some of the alternate surnames of Purington have also been found in countries that have had a large influx of Anglo Celtic populations, such as Canada and Australia.
The Purington surname can also be found throughout the English speaking world under various other aliases like Periwyn, Perinton, Parringdon, Pringdon, Poolington, and Parringdon. These alternate spellings are primarily attributed to the corruption of the surname by English speaking settlers during the mid-1700's, when the Purington name originally made its way to the Americas.
The possible variants of Purington bear the same pronunciation as the original spelling and may be encountered as historically accurate surnames in some records. It is also possible to encounter permutations of the original Purington surname, such as Perramington, Purminton, Pernington, and Puringdon.
Overall, the number of spellings, surnames, and variants belonging to the Purington family is extensive, with many distinct spelling variations existing today.
Famous people with the name Purington
- Michael Purington: Olympic bobsledder for Team USA
- Barbara Purington: Former president of the National Organization for Women (NOW)
- Jill Purington: Award-winning producer, director, and author
- Eli Purington: Professional football player for the Oakland Raiders
- Bill Purington: Television writer and producer known for Baskets and South Park
- Lucy Purington: Actress best known for her roles in Twilight and Glee
- George Purington: Award-winning Broadway producer
- Jack Purington: Country music singer
- Victoria Purington: Singer-songwriter and musician
- William Purington: Artist, sculptor, and painter