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 748
Agricultural Labourer 307
House Servant 77
Labourer 64
Dress Maker 42
General Servant 40
Servant 32
Laundress 30
Carter 24
Cook 24
Shoe Maker 23
Gardener 23
Carpenter 22
Domestic Servant 21
Bricklayer 20
House Keeper 18
Nurse 17
House Maid 15
Housemaid 14
Farm Labourer 13
Tailor 12
Blacksmith 12
Dressmaker 11
Porter 11
Shepherd 10

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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