Last Names Starting with P: A Comprehensive List

Looking for a unique and meaningful last name starting with the letter "P"? Look no further! This comprehensive list explores the origins and meanings behind over 40 surnames beginning with "P", offering insights into their history and cultural significance. Whether you're researching your family tree or simply seeking inspiration for a new character in your creative endeavors, this compilation of last names will prove a valuable resource.
1. **Page:** From the Old French word "page," meaning "boy" or "servant," this surname was often given to those who worked for noble families or served in the military.
2. **Palmer:** Derived from the Latin word "palma," meaning "palm tree," this surname was given to those who brought palm branches to commemorate religious events or those who worked in the palm tree industry.
3. **Parker:** An occupational surname given to those who worked as park keepers, often responsible for managing hunting grounds and forests.
4. **Parsons:** A surname derived from the word "parson," meaning "priest" or "clergyman," indicating the profession of the original bearer.
5. **Payne:** From the Old French word "paien," meaning "pagan," this surname was often given to those who did not conform to Christian beliefs.
6. **Pearce:** A surname derived from the Old French word "pers," meaning "pear," often given to those who worked with or cultivated pear trees.
7. **Pearson:** A surname meaning "son of Piers," derived from the Old French name "Pierre," which means "rock" or "stone."
8. **Peck:** A surname of occupational origin, referring to a person who worked as a butcher or someone who used a peck measure to sell goods.
9. **Pendleton:** A surname derived from the English place name Pendleton, meaning "hill of the pen."
10. **Penn:** A surname derived from the Old English word "penn," meaning "feather," possibly referring to a person who worked with feathers or an individual with a feather in their hat.
11. **Pepper:** A surname of occupational origin, referring to a person who worked with or traded peppers.
12. **Perkins:** A surname meaning "son of Perkin," a popular nickname for Peter, meaning "rock" or "stone."
13. **Perry:** A surname derived from the Old French word "pere," meaning "pear," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pear orchard or worked with pear trees.
14. **Peters:** A surname meaning "son of Peter," a popular name meaning "rock" or "stone."
15. **Phillips:** A surname meaning "son of Philip," a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
16. **Pickett:** A surname of occupational origin, referring to a person who worked as a picker or someone who collected items for a living.
17. **Pierce:** A surname meaning "piercer" or "one who pierces," possibly referring to a person with a sharp wit or someone who worked as a blacksmith or carpenter.
18. **Pike:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pīca," meaning "pike," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pike-infested area or someone who fished for pike.
19. **Piper:** An occupational surname given to those who played the pipe, a type of musical instrument.
20. **Pitt:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pitt, meaning "pit" or "quarry."
21. **Platt:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Platt, meaning "flat" or "level ground."
22. **Polk:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Polk, meaning "pool" or "pond."
23. **Pollard:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pol," meaning "head," possibly referring to a person with a distinctive hairstyle or a headstrong individual.
24. **Porter:** An occupational surname given to those who worked as gatekeepers or doormen.
25. **Potter:** An occupational surname given to those who worked as potters, creating pottery.
26. **Powell:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Powell, meaning "hill of the pool."
27. **Powers:** A surname meaning "powerful" or "strong," possibly referring to a person with a commanding personality or a physically strong individual.
28. **Pratt:** A surname derived from the Old English word "præt," meaning "clever" or "skillful," possibly referring to a person with exceptional skills or abilities.
29. **Price:** A surname meaning "value" or "worth," possibly referring to a person who was highly valued or someone who worked with precious metals.
30. **Priest:** A surname derived from the Old French word "prestre," meaning "priest," indicating the profession of the original bearer.
31. **Prince:** A surname meaning "royal" or "son of a ruler," possibly referring to a person with a noble lineage or someone who held a high position in society.
32. **Prior:** A surname derived from the Latin word "prior," meaning "one who goes before," possibly referring to a person who led a religious order or someone who held a position of authority.
33. **Proctor:** A surname of occupational origin, referring to a person who worked as a legal representative or someone who acted as an overseer or administrator.
34. **Purcell:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the Irish place name Purcellstown, meaning "the town of the Purcell family."
35. **Purdy:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Purdy, meaning "a fortified place."
36. **Putnam:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Putnam, meaning "the farm of the person named Putta."
37. **Pyke:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pīca," meaning "pike," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pike-infested area or someone who fished for pike.
38. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."
39. **Quinn:** A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "cuan," meaning "sea" or "harbor."
40. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."
41. **Pruitt:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pruitt, meaning "a meadow."
42. **Pugh:** A surname of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh word "pwg," meaning "little" or "small."
43. **Pullman:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pul," meaning "pool" or "pond," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pond or worked with water.
44. **Purvis:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Purvis, meaning "a fortified place."
45. **Pyatt:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pyt," meaning "pit" or "well," possibly referring to a person who lived near a well or worked with wells.
46. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."
47. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."
48. **Pyles:** A surname derived from the Old English word "pīl," meaning "arrow," possibly referring to a person who worked as an archer or someone who was known for their accuracy.
49. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."
50. **Pyle:** A surname of locational origin, derived from the English place name Pyle, meaning "a pool."