Surname Pearsons - Meaning and Origin

Pearsons: What does the surname Pearsons mean?

The last name Pearsons is of English origin and it is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Peter. The name Peter is derived from the Greek "Petros", meaning "rock". So, Pearsons essentially means "son of Peter". Surnames like Pearsons became popular in Europe during the middle ages as a means of identifying individuals, who shared common first names. By referring to someone as the “son of Peter”, people could distinguish between different individuals named Peter in the same community. Over time these names became hereditary and were passed on from generation to generation. Therefore, anyone bearing the surname Pearsons may trace their ancestry back to a patriarchal figure named Peter.

Pearsons: Where does the name Pearsons come from?

The last name Pearsons is quite common today. It can be found in large numbers in certain countries, in particular the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and even some parts of Europe like Germany.

It is believed to have originated in the British Isles, making it an English surname. The first recorded spelling was Thomas Pierson, which dates back to 1220. From there, it has been passed down through generations, gradually evolving with time.

In the US, its spread can be seen all over the country. A popular original place of settlement was in Virginia, where a large number of the Pearsons can be traced back to that area. The surname can also be found in other states like Louisiana, Texas, and even Hawaii.

The UK has a large population of people with the last name Pearsons, as well. Here the name is mostly concentrated in the North of England.

In Canada, the surname is most common in Ontario, though it can be found in other provinces as well.

Australia is another place with a significant number of Pearsons. The greatest concentration of this name is around Victoria and New South Wales.

As the surname has evolved and spread around the globe, it is likely that it will continue to be seen in many countries in the future.

Variations of the surname Pearsons

The surname Pearsons is derived from the English name Pearson. It is an occupational surname for a person who was a pears-grower or pear-seller, derived from the Old French word pierre, meaning “pear tree”. It is common in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

Variants of the surname Pearsons include Pierson, Piers, Peerson, Piersons, Piersonne, Pearcy, Pearsey, Pinternet, Peart, Peirce, Peirs, and Pierce.

Variations in spelling can be attributed to the phonetic spelling of the name. For example, some forms of the name are spelled Pierson, Pearsons, Pearson, and Person. Other spelling variations of the name include Pearsall, Pirsall, Pearsay, Parsall, Peerce, and Pearsay.

Surnames associated with the Pearsons include D’Pearsons, Pearson-Brown, Appleby, Appleyard, Appling, and Ashbery. There are also surnames associated with the spelling variations of the name such as Piersall, Piershaw, Pirson, and Pilson.

In conclusion, the surname Pearsons has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames that come from the common English name Pearson. Variations have arisen over time due to phonetic spelling of the name and the introduction of new surnames.

Famous people with the name Pearsons

• Harry Pearson—American journalist, film critic and author; considered a pioneer and major figure in the history of film criticism.
• Cardinal John Henry Pearson—English prelate of the Roman Catholic church; Bishop of Richmond (1894–1903) and Archbishop of York (1903–1921).
• Daniel Pearsons—American pastor, journalist, and author.
• Jacob Pearsons—American actor; best known for his roles as Chuck Clayton in Riverdale, Dylan Wallace in Home Before Dark, and Freddie in The Lodge.
• John Pearsons—British ceramics designer and potter who worked for Wedgwood and then A. J. Wilkinson Pottery.
• John B. Pearsons—British doctor and academic; appointed Professor of Pathology at the University of Oxford in 1917.
• Matthew Pearsons—American actor best known for his roles in such films as Dracula (2014), Spotlight (2015) and Baywatch (2017).
• Peter Pearsons—English tenor and song accompanist, primarily known as the frequent performing partner of the composer Benjamin Britten.
• Robert Pearsons—English lutenist, singer, and composer; wrote vocal consorts, pavans, fantasias, and a few motets.
• William Pearsons—British-born American ornithologist, painter, and collector; made major contributions to the ornithology of the American Southwest.

Other surnames

PearsonPearsonettPearsonette