Surname Percy - Meaning and Origin
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Percy: What does the surname Percy mean?
The last name Percy is of Norman origin and was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is believed to be derived from the manor of Percy-en-Auge in Normandy, France, meaning someone from that region. The name is adopted by a Norman family who arrived in the UK during the 11th century and became one of the most powerful families, with significant roles in English politics and history. Their patriarch, William de Perci, gained vast lands in England and Scotland and his descendants later becoming Earl of Northumberland. The Percy name is tied to themes of power, nobility and strong connections to history and cultural heritage. The Percy family is also linked to noteworthy historical events like the Battle of Hastings and the War of the Roses.
Order DNA origin analysisPercy: Where does the name Percy come from?
The last name Percy is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in the north and south of England. It also has a small presence in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, and other countries with significant British diaspora.
The origin of the Percy name is said to be from the pre-10th century Old French word "Perche" meaning "suburbs". It is thought that this name was used to describe small rural settlements. By the 11th century, Percy had become a more widespread surname, particularly among those of higher social standing.
The Percy name is associated with several famous figures throughout British History. "Percy" was the name of a powerful landowning family in the North of England, and many of their members had prestigious titles and were involved in the politics of the time. Some of the notable people of the Percy family include Henry Percy who fought alongside Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and Algernon Percy, the Duke of Northumberland and leader of the failed rebellion against Elizabeth I in 1569.
The Percy surname remains relatively common today in the United Kingdom. Although there are a few other countries in which the name is present, its overwhelming majority is found within the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Percy
The surname Percy is derived from a French geographical place-name, from the Latin personal name "Persius." The Latin Persius was derived from the Greek "Perses," which means "destroyer." Spellings and variants of the same origin for the surname Percy include Piercy, Percey, Percye, Percie, Piersi, and Persy.
Other surnames, which are related to the name Percy, include Pearcy, Piercy, Piercey, Percey, Percie, Peretz, Peters, Pedersen, Perrin, Parry, Parrot, Parsons, and Pirie. The surname Percy is also related to the Welsh surname Pryce, and the French surname Persil.
The name Percy also has various transliterations into other languages, such as:
* Italian: Perisi
* Spanish: Percey
* Dutch: Persie
* Norwegian: Persi
* Swedish: Persson
* Hebrew: Pirson
* German: Pursch
The surname Percy is also sometimes found in a double-barrelled form, such as Percy-Smith or Percy-Jones. There are various nicknames of the surname Percy, such as Percyy, Perz, and Perce.
Percy is a very popular surname throughout Europe, especially in England, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is also occasionally found in North America, especially among those of French or British origin.
Famous people with the name Percy
- Thomas Percy: British politician and hereditary peer, active during the 19th century.
- Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland: British nobleman and writer from the 1500s.
- Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland: British peer and aristocrat from the late 19th century.
- Anne Isabella Noel Byron, 11th Baroness Wentworth: English noblewoman from the 19th century.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley: British Romantic poet of the 19th century and author of works such as "Ode to the West Wind" and "Prometheus Unbound".
- Percy Wilson: British silent film actor from the early 20th century.
- Percy Thrower: English horticulturalist and broadcaster in the 20th century.
- Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland: British peer and Duke from the 20th century.
- Percy Sledge: American soul and R&B singer best known for his 1966 hit "When a Man Loves a Woman".
- Percy Heath: American jazz bassist and a founding member of the Modern Jazz Quartet.