Surname Prazer - Meaning and Origin
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Prazer: What does the surname Prazer mean?
The last name Prazer has origins from the medieval Occitan language. It is derived from the Old French words "praiere," which means to pray, and "plazer" which means to please or to have pleasure. It could also be derived from the Latin word "placere," which means to be pleased or to be accepted.
The literal translation of the word Prazer is to pray, please, or accept. This could indicate that the surname is from a religious background and was likely given to individuals who were pleasing or accepted by the church. It could also suggest that the original bearer of the surname was an individual who was attentive in their faith and prayers.
Today, the surname Prazer is most commonly found in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, this surname is most common among the Northeastern region of the country, specifically in Mirandela. In Brazil, the Prazer surname is found primarily in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Pernambuco.
The Prazer surname is a unique one, having been passed down through generations and likely originating from a religious background. Its meaning is an interesting one, suggesting that the original bearer of this surname was an individual who was pleasing and accepted by the church.
Order DNA origin analysisPrazer: Where does the name Prazer come from?
The surname Prazer is common mainly in South America today, particularly in Brazil. It is a Portuguese-language surname, making it of particular prevalence in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries. According to data from Forebears, the associations of Prazer are most numerous in Brazil, where it is the 1,317th most common surname (0.008% of the population). It is also found widely in Angola, the Netherlands, Cape Verde, and Portugal.
The meaning of the surname Prazer is unclear. It may be derived from the Portuguese word for pleasure, prazer. It is sometimes interpreted as a nickname for a person who is full of good humor and good spirits. A similar-sounding surname, Prazeres, also exists, and it refers to someone who resides near a meadow.
The earliest known records featuring this surname date back to the 17th century. There are records of a Thomas Prazer in Massás, Portugal, from 1642, as well as a Luís Prazer in Barcelosa, Portugal, in 1651. Today, the family name is scattered around the world, but it appears to be most concentrated in South America.
Variations of the surname Prazer
The surname Prazer is a variation of the Portuguese, Spanish, and Jewish surname Prazeres. It originated from the Latin word praesidium, meaning ‘guardianship’, as it was originally a descriptive nickname for someone who protected and guarded others. Variants and spellings of the name include Prazeres, Prez, Prezas, Prezys, Prezy, Prezus, Prazeres, Prazes, Prazez, Pras, Prass, Prasse, Presa, Presas, Presys, Prezio, Prezioso and Praceiro. It is also thought to be related to the surname Praça, which is from the Portuguese word for ‘square’. A similar surname, Presa, is described as a habitational name, meaning someone who was from a place called ‘Presa’, which is the Spanish word for ‘trap’.
In Portugal, this surname is found mainly in Minho province, but can also be found in Trás-os-Montes provinces, Algarve and other areas. In Latin America, however, this surname is found particularly in Spain, Mexico and Brazil, due to the Highlands colonization of Spanish settlers in the 16th century. In Spain, this surname is most common in Castile and Leon, where it is found mainly in the region of Galicia.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the surname Prazer is most common in California, and is found in other areas such as Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, and New York. It is mainly found among descendants of Portuguese-American, Latin American and Spanish-American immigrants.
Overall, the surname Prazer and its variants are found around the world, with their origins tracing back to Portugal, Spain, Latin America, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Prazer
- Marko Prazer: Actor and Producer from Brazil
- Jack Prazer: Producer and Special Effects Artist
- John Prazer: Brazilian Actor
- Vinicius Prazer: Musician from Brazil
- Rogério Prazer: Brazilian Composer and Musician
- Marcelo Prazer: Pop Artist from Brazil
- Ana Laura Prazer: Model and Actress from Brazil
- Pedro Prazer: International DJ
- Helio Prazer: Screenwriter and Producer from Brazil
- Justin Prazer: TV, Film, and Video Game Writer and Producer