Surname Peers - Meaning and Origin

Peers: What does the surname Peers mean?

Peers is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name Peter. In ancient times, surnames as we know them today were not in use and people were often identified by their given name and their vocation, location, or by a personal characteristic. The name Peter comes from the Greek "Petros" meaning "rock" or "stone", and has strong biblical ties being the name given to Simon by Jesus, signifying him as the foundation stone of the church. The surname Peers could also refer to the status of an individual in the society, indicating an equal or a noble person. When surnames became commonplace, they were often given to distinguish between multiple individuals with the same given name. Hence, "Peers" could refer to a descendant of Peter, may symbolize someone who is like a rock in terms of their characteristics or behavior, or reflect one's prestige in the community. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames have changed and Peers is one variant of the surname, some other forms include Peer, Piers, and Pierce.

Peers: Where does the name Peers come from?

The last name Peers is most common in the United Kingdom, where it is ranked as the 385th most common surname in the country. Additionally, it is common in Ireland, where it is ranked as the 921st most common surname.

In the United States, Peers is not as widespread, ranking as the 15,002nd most common surname. It has its highest concentrations in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. There is also a small population of Peers residents in Canada, where it ranks as the 3,157th most common surname.

In Australia, the surname Peers is fairly uncommon, where it ranks as the 2,703rd most common name. The Peers family is most concentrated in the states of Victoria and South Australia.

In New Zealand, Peers ranks as the 3, 100th most common name. The surnames have its highest concentrations in Wellington and the North Island.

Overall, the last name Peers is most prevalent in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. With smaller populations present in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the surname is not as widespread in these countries, although there are still some pockets of people bearing the name Peers.

Variations of the surname Peers

The surname Peers is a patronymic surname of Old French and Middle English origins. It is derived from the word "peer", also spelled "piers, pyers, pere, and perre", meaning "rock". The original bearer of the surname would have had a connection to this word, either through living near a prominent rock formation or having a nickname bestowed upon them.

Variants of the surname Peers include Peair, Pear, Pears, Pearse, Peerse, Pearce, Pierro, Perreault, Piercy, Pearcey, and Percy. Depending on the region, the spelling can differ, so it is important to research local spellings.

Surnames of a similar origin include Verro, Verreaux, Verrier, Laperriere, and Pierre. All of these surnames originated in either England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and across Europe. The most common variations are "Peers, Pierson, Pearson, Peirson, and Person".

In German, the surname has been spelled as "Pfurz", and in Dutch as "Piers". In Swedish, the surname is spelled "Pehrs" or "Pehrsson, which is the most common spelling in that region.

The Peers surname has also been anglicized as "Pierce" in some cases. Although the pronunciation has stayed the same over the years, the spelling has shifted to conform to the English language.

Famous people with the name Peers

• Lady Emma Peers: Lady Emma is a British TV presenter and lecturer. She was the “Face of the Environment” at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and has since presented and reported on numerous BBC documentaries and programs.
• Glenn Peers: Glenn is an American professor of art history and documentary filmmaking. He is known for his extensive research in the history of art and his work to document and promote Mexican art, culture, and folklore.
• Rebel Wilson: Rebel is an Australian actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her roles in Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, and Isn't it Romantic.
• Jack Peers: Jack is an English professional road bicycle racer, who last competed for UCI WorldTeam Bahrain–McLaren. In 2016, he rode in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
• Edward Peers: Edward is an English viticulture and oenologist. He is the current CEO and founder of Peers grapes, a firm that offers a range of services related to vineyard and winery management.
• William Peers: William is a British lawyer and diplomat. He currently serves as the prime minister’s personal representative on combating modern slavery and is also a former ambassador to Ethiopia.
• Pamela Peers: Pamela is a Canadian actress and producer, known for her work on the television series Flashpoint and Templar.
• Jonathan Peers: Jonathan is an award winning American screenwriter. He has written for films such as What Keeps You Alive and The Cosmonaut.
• Anthony Peers: Anthony is a British actor and political activist. He has appeared in several films and television shows, including EastEnders, Holby City, and Bad Girls.
• Clive Peers: Clive is a British journalist and radio presenter. He hosts his own weekly radio show on BBC Radio Devon and has written a number of best-selling books.

Other surnames

Peer