Surname Purslay - Meaning and Origin

Purslay: What does the surname Purslay mean?

The last name Purslay is of German origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word “pursel” meaning peddler. This surname was likely given to someone whose occupation—likely in the Middle Ages—was to peddle goods from place to place. The family likely traveled across German-speaking countries and perhaps even ventured beyond the borders.

Purslay is also said to be a locational surname meaning someone from PCsla, a village in southwest Carinthia in Austria. This could mean that a family of this name originated in this specific village and then passed down their name through generations of families.

Purslay can be seen as a surname of honor and courage. It honors the sacrifice and hard work of those who carved out a living for themselves and their families by peddling goods around Europe. It speaks to the bravery of the Purslay family who were willing to travel and take risks in order to survive in a time of uncertainty and poverty.

This family name is still in use today, showing the strength and resilience of its original bearer. The Purslay name is still seen as a symbol of courage, honor, and bravery.

Purslay: Where does the name Purslay come from?

The last name Purslay is found predominantly in England and Wales, especially in the English Midlands and South West regions. According to records from the 1881 British Census, the last name Purslay was most popular in Warwickshire. Over the years, Purslay has spread to other counties in the UK such as Surrey, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Moreover, the last name Purslay is also found in other countries, like France, Canada, South Africa and the United States. In the United States, Purslay has been found primarily in the states of Kentucky and Virginia.

The last name Purslay is thought to be related to the ancient Celtic name Prussu, which was often given to people of strong, ambitious personality. Today, descendants of those with the last name Purslay tend to have a variety of professions. These range from tradesmen to professionals, such as educators, engineers, lawyers, and medical professionals. These individuals constitute a diverse occupation and cultural background in the British Isles and the United States.

The Purslay surname is more common in the United Kingdom, as compared to the United States, but in either place, you can expect to meet descendants of people with the Purslay surname.

Variations of the surname Purslay

Purslay is a variant of the actual surnames Pursley, Purslow, and Purslove, all of which share the same Anglo-Saxon origin. The surname Purslay is derived from the Middle English words ‘pursley’ and ‘porslawe’, both of which mean “parsley”, a herb. Thus, the surname Purslay can be interpreted as “one who lives near the parsley”.

The variants and spellings of the Purslay surname also include Perslow, Parslow, Purcell, Persely, Perseley, Purssell, Porshall, and Porshaell, amongst others. Compared to other English surnames, Purslay is relatively rare, although all variants of Purslay can be found in various records throughout England, and in towns and counties such as London, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.

The variants of the Purslay surname also stretch as far as the United States, where immigrants carrying the Purslay name settled in the 1600s. In the United States, the Purslay surname can be found in states such as Virginia, Massachusetts, and Ohio. A variant found only in the United States is Purslav, which is likely to have been derived from the original spelling Purslay.

In summary, the Purslay surname originated in England and has many variants and spellings, including Pursley, Purslow, Purslove, Perslow, Parslow, Purcell, Persely, Perseley, Purssell, Porshall, and Porshaell, amongst others. The surname can be found in many parts of England and also in the United States, where a variant unique to the United States, Purslav, is also present.

Famous people with the name Purslay

• Jason Purslay, English Physiologist.
• Shannon Purslay, Canadian Voice Actress.
• Andrew Purslay, Writer, Creator of the comic strip "Little Razorbrush".
• William Purslay, American Singer.
• Oliver Purslay, U.K. Movie Director.
• Dan Purslay, Australian Actor.
• Robert Purslay, Australian Musician.
• Jann Purslay, Canadian Fashion Designer.
• Rick Purslay, U.S. Football Player.
• Margarita Purslay, Russian Writer and Poet.
• Clive Purslay, U.K. Businessman.
• Sam Purslay, American Football Player.
• Joseph Purslay, British Actor.
• Constance Purslay, British Actress.
• Mikki Purslay, Canadian Actor.
• Zeb Purslay, American Rapper.
• Sarah Purslay, British Businesswoman.
• Donovan Purslay, Canadian Skateboarder.
• Grace Purslay, Canadian Ambassador.
• Michelle Purslay, Canadian Musician.

Other surnames

Pursley