PURVES
Purves
Purves is a Scottish surname that originated from Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. The name is derived from the Old English word "pewer," which means "bag" or "purse." The name likely originally referred to someone who made or carried bags or purses.
History
The Purves surname is believed to have been around since medieval times, with records of the name dating back to the 13th century in Scotland. The Purves family was known to have held land in the Borders region and was associated with various settlements in the area.
Over the centuries, the Purves family spread beyond Scotland, with branches of the family settling in England and other parts of the British Isles. The name has also been found in records of early English settlers in the American colonies.
Notable People
- David Purves (1809–1888): A Scottish artist known for his landscape paintings.
- Sir James Purves-Stewart (1876–1952): A British politician and businessman.
- Julia Purves (b. 1985): An English actress known for her work in theatre and film.
Legacy
The Purves surname continues to be present in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom and the world. The name has a rich history and is part of the diverse tapestry of British surnames.
There are approximately 2,799 people named Purves in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,194th most common surname in Britain. Around 43 in a million people in Britain are named Purves.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Brian
- David
- George
- James
- John
- Michael
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Anne
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Lucy
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.