Surname Parsley - Meaning and Origin

Parsley: What does the surname Parsley mean?

The last name Parsley is derived from the Late Latin personal name Petrocellus, meaning "little Peter" or “rock”. The name Parsley itself literally means "little rock". Historically, Parsley has been a surname in England since the 13th century, and it was likely bestowed upon people as a nickname related to their way of life or location.

In England, Parsley is commonly associated with the coastal region in southeastern England; it was often used as a descriptive byname for a fisherman or seafarer. Additionally, it has been associated with a small greenery found in woody areas with angelica, the roots of which residents would grind to make a medicinal tea.

Most people with the last name Parsley originate from England since it was first documented there. In the last few centuries, the name has spread to other parts of Europe, America, and other parts of the world.

Since the name is English in origin, the etymology and meaning of Parsley are closely tied to an English heritage. It connotes a life related to the sea, a small rock, or bolsters of greenery. It could also be a reference to the Biblical Peter, reflecting the religious roots of England's earliest days. Today, Parsley is associated with an independent spirit and practicality, as well as a strong work ethic.

Parsley: Where does the name Parsley come from?

Parsley is a common surname across many countries today. In the United States, it has consistently been among the top 1,000 most popular surnames since 1915. Parsley is especially prevalent in the American Southeast, particularly in the Southern states. In the 2000 census, its highest population frequency was in Alabama, where over 1,100 individuals bore the Parsley surname. It has also been particularly common in the states of Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Parsley is also common in England and Wales, with over 500 individuals bearing the surname there in 2018. This has followed a sharp increase since mid-1800s levels of around 100 individuals with the surname.

The surname is used less frequently in Canada and Australia, with families typically being descended from British settlers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In New Zealand, the parsley name is more common due to Scottish settlers. It is mainly associated with the trades of baker and grocer and appears in most large New Zealand cities.

The surname is also common in many parts of Europe, mainly in the British Isles and on the continent. It is especially common in countries such as France, Germany, and Ireland, with families typically descending from medieval English-speaking settlers.

In conclusion, Parsley is a common surname across many countries, characterized by its highest population frequency in the American Southeast and its highest relative frequency in the British Isles.

Variations of the surname Parsley

The surname Parsley is derived from the medieval English personal name Piers, which translates to 'rock', 'stone', or 'petra'. It has various spelling variants, including Parceley, Parseley, Parsleye, Parsly, Perslee, and Pitcley. Surnames derived from Parsley are also common. These variants include Parsons, Parkins, Parsonage, Parkin, Parkinsson, Parkyns, Park surgeons, Pearson, Perrin, and Perrinsohn.

Parsley is also an Anglicized form of the Welsh surname Parry, which translates to 'son of Harry'. Variants include Parree, Parrye, and Parreys. Surnames derived from Parry include Parrish, Parrishon, and Parriscion.

Other spellings include the French Parcelier and the German Parseler. Surnames such as Parcelier and Parseler are derived from Parsley and Parry respectively.

Variants of the Parsley surname can also be found in Ireland. This includes Parselle, Pearsall, and Pearsol. Surnames derived from these variants include Pearse, Pearsey, and Peirce.

In conclusion, Parsley is a versatile surname with a range of variants and spellings, as well as surnames derived from these. Some variants of the surname are derived from the Welsh name Parry, while others come from the medieval English name Piers. It is also possible to find variants of Parsley in Ireland, France, and Germany.

Famous people with the name Parsley

• Anthony Parsley: Former American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Amanda Parsley: West End and Broadway stage actress and singer.
• Dean Parsley: British professional BMX rider.
• Max Parsley: Award-winning Australian painter, sculptor and draughtsman.
• Kim Parsley: Retired professional American ice hockey goaltender who played four games in the National Hockey League (NHL).
• Tim Parsley: American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB).
• Dean Parsley: American professional soccer player who played for the Major League Soccer (MLS).
• Clarence Parsley: American professional basketball player who played two seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• Robert Parsley: American professional bassist who has worked with many popular artists.
• Steven Parsley: American professional mixed martial artist who fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Other surnames

Parslay