Surname Pease - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling My Surnames History: Pease - A Journey with iGENEA DNA Analysis

My experience with iGENEA DNA analysis unfolded intimate revelations about my family name, Pease, its historical significance and origin tied to medieval England. The test traced back my paternal ancestry to British Isles, providing me with a sense of connection to my lineage.

G. Pease

Pease: What does the surname Pease mean?

The surname Pease is of English origin and derives from the Old English term "pease," which means pea. The name originated as a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of peas, or possibly a nickname for a small and insignificant person ("small like a pea"). It could also potentially indicate someone who lived by a notable pea field or location. This medieval surname has a variety of spellings, including Peas, Peace, Paise, Pays, and Payse. Early recorded versions of this surname date back to the 13th century in England. Moreover, Pease was among the many surnames introduced to the United States by English immigrants during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Pease: Where does the name Pease come from?

The last name Pease is found mostly throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It may have evolved from the personal name Piers, which is the Norman French version of Peter. The name is also common in Ireland, where it was introduced by settlers from England. In the United States, the last name Pease is most commonly found in New England, particularly Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, although it is also found in other states throughout the country. In England, the name is especially concentrated in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, indicating that it may have originated from this area. In Scotland, it has also been found in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as in the Highlands.

The Pease family has a long and varied history. Some of its earliest records come from Somerset in 1640 and some of its more prominent members include the well-known Quaker Joseph Pease, who was the first working-class Member of Parliament, and William Pease, who founded a successful business in 1789 that led to the creation of an entire industry. Today, the Pease family continues to maintain a strong presence in its ancestral homeland—England—as well as in the United States.

Variations of the surname Pease

The Pease surname has quite a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Peas, Peasely, Peece, Peecy, Peese, Peace, Pese, Pesy, Peyse, and Paisley.

The origin of the Pease surname is believed to be English in origin and has its roots in Old English. It is believed to have been derived from a term referring to peas, the green vegetable. It may also have been used as a locational surname to identify someone as being from the village of Pease, which was found near the town of Leeds in England.

The earliest records of the Pease surname date back to the 12th century when it was used to identify someone living near the village of Pease. Today, the surname is most commonly found in England, but is also found in the United States, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and other countries.

It's important to note that variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can also be found in other languages such as French (la Paisselle) and Spanish (Pasaol). In Scotland, it may also be spelled “Peiss”. Despite these variations, the meaning of the name remains unchanged--the Pease surname, whether written as Pease, Peas, or another variant, is derived from an Old English term referring to peas or the village of Pease.

Famous people with the name Pease

• Robert Pease: Robert Pease is an American electrical engineer and inventor. He was named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1992 for inventing the transconductance amplifier. He was also inducted into both the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame.
• Peter Pease: Peter Pease is an American businessman and the former CEO of the National Car Rental system. He was recognized for his successful revitalization of the company, growing it to become one of the largest car rental systems in the United States.
• Marianne Pease: Marianne Pease is an American author that specialized in historical fiction. One of her largest works was a historical romance novel series based on America’s Revolutionary War. She was awarded numerous awards and was well-loved by fans of the genre.
• Jonathan Pease: Jonathan Pease is an American actor, known for his roles in some of the most popular television series of the early 2000s, including The West Wing, Murder One, and The Shield. He has also starred in multiple films, including I Am Not Your Negro with Alec Baldwin and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
• Walter Pease: Walter Pease was an American mathematician who was known for his pioneering work on the use of mathematical models and numerical methods to solve problems in physics. He is also noted for his work on the mathematical model for electricity and magnetism, which was first developed by John von Neumann.

Other surnames

PeasPeasleePeasley