Surname Purser - Meaning and Origin

Purser: What does the surname Purser mean?

The surname Purser is of occupational origin, derived from the job of a purser, an officer on a ship who was responsible for handling money and valuable goods. This name traces its origins to the medieval period in England. The root of the name, "purse," refers to a bag for holding money, reflecting the holder's profession. In Old French, it is spelled as "bursar" or "burser," which in Latin is “bursarius” -- these words are related to "bursa," meaning purse. Such occupational surnames were often assigned based on a person's job, so it's likely that the original bearers of the Purser name worked as pursers on ships. Over time, the name has been modified in various forms such as Pursar, Pursser, and Purser. In some cases, the name Purser might also have been attributed to individuals responsible for distributing ecclesiastical alms, referred to in Old English as 'pursermoney'. Like many surnames, the exact origins and meaning can vary, but these are some of the most common interpretations.

Purser: Where does the name Purser come from?

The last name Purser is relatively uncommon in the United States today. However, a search of public records shows that Pursers do live in several different states. Many of these Pursers are descendants of a single family that arrived in colonial America in the late 1600s.

The most commonly found surnames for Purser in the U.S. are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. There are several names of Purser families located in these states, particularly in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Richmond, Virginia. Birth records indicate that some Purser immigrants had settled in these areas in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Purser is more common and widely dispersed throughout the country. Currently, some of the most heavily populated cities that have Purser residents are London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. In Scotland, Purser families can be found mainly in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Overall, the last name Purser is not as common as it was centuries ago, but it is still found in select areas throughout the United States and Europe. Those with the last name Purser should be proud to be part of a fine historical lineage.

Variations of the surname Purser

The surname Purser has many variations, spellings, and surnames, some of which have been around for centuries. The surname Purser has been spelled many different ways, including Pursur, Pursar, Purser, Purseer, Perser, Purserow, Porser, and Pursar.

Variations of the Purser surname are often found in records of English and Scottish origin. In England, the origin of the Purser surname was likely derived from Old French “purser,” a word meaning “purveyor of provisions or keeper of supplies.” The occupation of the Purser often included watching over money, food, and supplies, tasks which required an eye for detail and efficiency.

Variations of the Purser surname can be traced to the 12th century and have since spread to some of the former British colonies, including the United States. In Scotland, the Purser surname may have originated from a Gaelic language personal name “Pursayr or Pursay,” which consisted of the elements “pursa” and “gér” ( meaning loud/great).

Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Purser may also include Parson, Parsons, Persan, Porson, and Pierser. The spelling of these surnames varies greatly and can sometimes be hard to recognize, so it is important to research your own family’s history as thoroughly as possible.

Famous people with the name Purser

• David Purser: an Australian rules footballer
• Francine Purser: a Canadian singer-songwriter
• Brad Purser: an American film producer
• Jack Purser: an American film and television editor
• William Purser: an English military officer
• Pete Purser: an American baseball player
• Peter Purser: an English geographer
• Tom Purser: an English rugby player
• Richard Purser: a Canadian lawyer and former politician
• Helen Purser: an American equestrian
• David Purser-Avizinis: an American film director
• Luke Purser: an Australian football player
• Sonya Purser: an Australian rules footballer
• Spencer Purser: an Australian cricketer
• Peter Purser-Hallard: an English author and illustrator
• Chris Purser: a former English rugby union player
• Tom Purser: an English food critic and writer
• Robert Purser: an American radio personality
• Gary Purser: an Australian rules footballer
• Robert Norman Purser: an American actor and voice actor

Other surnames

PursePursellPursey