Parry Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Parry Name Meaning: This surname originates from the the Welsh 'ap Harry' meaning 'son of Harry'.

An originally Welsh surname shortening from the Welsh word meaning 'son of Harry'. The word parry is also used in fencing taken from the French word 'parez'which is associated with defence and to 'ward off' something, so may have been given to someone who's occupation was to defend.

Discover how your Parry ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Parry Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Parry family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 4,609
Coal Miner 387
Domestic Servant 280
General Servant 248
Dress Maker 242
General Labourer 242
Labourer 242
Agricultural Labourer 238
Quarryman 191
Farmers Son 148
General Servant Domestic 141
Farm Servant Indoor 122
Farmers Wife 119
Joiner 117
House Keeper 116
Farmers Daughter 108
Annuitant 107
Stone Mason 103
Farm Labourer 97
Slate Quarryman 90
Tailor 80
Lead Miner 76
Laundress 75
Servant 70
Charwoman 69

Parry Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Parry 100% 166,471
2 Perry 80% 163,594
3 Perrey 67% 2,460
4 Parrey 83% 1,892
5 Pary 80% 910
6 Purry 80% 399
7 Porry 80% 217

Did you know?

The surname Parry is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Parry family