Prior Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Prior Name Meaning: The name is from Latin 'prior' meaning 'superior' & used to denote a prior,offen a 'monastic' official assistant to an 'abbot'.

This name was usually used as a 'nickname' for someone thought to resemble a 'prio'r or 'occupational' for a servant of a prior.

Discover how your Prior 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

Prior Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Prior family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 313
Female Servant 176
Independent 88
Labourer 68
Male Servant 61
Ag Labourer 49
Shoe Maker 30
Farmer 30
Dress Maker 27
Carpenter 21
Tailor 18
Miner 17
Brick Layer 16
Gardener 14
Baker 13
Servant 12
Grocer 11
Brick Maker 11
Independant 10
Pauper 10
Publican 9
Milliner 8
Bricklayer 8
Ag Lab 8
Apprentice 7

Prior Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Parr 40% 54,381
2 Prior 100% 49,280
3 Pryor 80% 12,842
4 Pryer 60% 5,977
5 Prier 80% 4,075
6 Purr 40% 1,290
7 Pereira 43% 1,034
8 Perrie 33% 553
9 Pierre 33% 483
10 Pearer 33% 404
11 Perr 40% 219
12 Pirrie 33% 216
13 Perree 33% 170
14 Priar 80% 131

Did you know?

The surname Prior is the 2nd most popular variant of Parr.

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