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
General Labourer 110
Living On Own Means 91
Scholar 80
General Servant Domestic 70
Dress Maker 67
Agricultural Labourer 59
Cook Domestic 53
Gardener Domestic 43
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 39
Carpenter 37
House Maid Domestic 34
Housemaid Domestic 34
Domestic Servant 33
Farmer 26
Laundress Wash 26
Dressmaker 23
Bricklayer 21
Carman 21
Charwoman 21
Laundress 21
Bricklayer Labourer 19
Coachman Domestic 18
Groom Domestic 18
Servant Domestic 18
Tailoress 18

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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