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 952
Agricultural Labourer 337
Labourer 120
Domestic Servant 71
General Servant 58
Dress Maker 38
Gardener 37
Laundress 36
Cook 32
Servant 32
Carpenter 27
Ag Lab 27
Farm Labourer 24
Bricklayer 22
Annuitant 22
Housemaid 21
Charwoman 19
Dressmaker 19
Tailor 19
House Keeper 19
No Occupation 18
Brick Layer 17
Ag Labourer 16
Groom 16
None 16

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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