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
Scholar 561
Agricultural Labourer 365
House Servant 83
At Home 74
Labourer 71
Servant 64
Farm Labourer 55
Dress Maker 36
Laundress 31
General Servant 30
Gardener 23
Pauper 23
Scholar At Home 17
Carpenter 16
Errand Boy 16
Shoe Maker 14
Annuitant 14
Tailor 14
Brick Layer 14
Ag Labourer 13
Charwoman 12
Blacksmith 12
Cook 12
Porter 12
Groom 11

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.

Search for the Prior family