O'PREY
Also recorded as O Prey, O'prey, Oprey
O'Prey
The surname O'Prey is of Irish origin, believed to be an anglicised version of the Gaelic name "Ó Priomhtha," meaning "descendant of Priomhtha." The name is primarily found in Northern Ireland and is relatively rare.
The O'Prey family history is intertwined with the complex and often turbulent history of Ireland. Many variant spellings of the surname exist, including O'Prey, Prey, Proway, Pray, and Proy, reflecting historical changes in language and recording practices.
Members of the O'Prey family have been documented in various historical records, particularly in Ulster, where they were associated with the clans and septs of that region. The surname is often linked to the Scotch-Irish community in Northern Ireland, descendants of Scottish settlers who arrived in Ulster in the early 17th century.
Over the years, O'Prey individuals have made contributions to various fields, including academia, the arts, and public service. The surname continues to be carried by descendants around the world, particularly in countries with large Irish diaspora populations.
Despite its relatively small numbers, the O'Prey name holds a place in the rich tapestry of British and Irish surnames, reflecting the enduring connections between the people of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
There are approximately 347 people named O'Prey in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named O'Prey.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Brian
- Christopher
- Daniel
- David
- James
- John
- Kevin
- Patrick
- Paul
- William
Female
- Amanda
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Jean
- Lisa
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sharon