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 1,342
Agricultural Labourer 294
General Labourer 85
Labourer 80
General Servant 77
Dress Maker 63
Domestic Servant 61
Farm Labourer 59
Laundress 51
Carpenter 34
Gardener 30
Cook Domestic 27
General Servant Domestic 23
Annuitant 22
Charwoman 21
Cook Domestic Servant 21
Servant 20
Tailor 20
Bricklayer 18
Housemaid 18
Coal Miner 18
Tailoress 17
Errand Boy 15
None 15
Cook 14

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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