Surname Peaslee - Meaning and Origin

Peaslee: What does the surname Peaslee mean?

The last name Peaslee is an English-language name which is derived from an Old English place name meaning "place in the peas field." This toponymic surname, which is found in England, Scotland, and in North America, indicates a family originating from a village or a region where peas were grown or collected as a main source of nutrition and sustenance. In some cases, the surname was altered to Peasley or Peebles.

The historical record indicates that the Peaslee surname dates back to late 11th century England. Notable bearers of the name include complimented major Robert Peaslee, an English soldier who fought against the Spanish Armada in 1588, and relative Thomas Peaslee, who emigrated to New England in 1637. In the latter part of the 19th century, the surname Peaslee was found in East Anglia, in Oxfordshire, and in Cambridgeshire, as well as in other parts of England and Scotland.

In North America, the name Peaslee is most commonly found in New England, New York and Nova Scotia. For many of these families, the surname was preserved unchanged for several generations. Some members of this family emigrated to Canada and Australia in the mid 19th century and, in Australia, the name is found in records going back to the early 20th century.

Today, the surname Peaslee is widespread, but it is most often found in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Peaslee: Where does the name Peaslee come from?

The last name Peaslee is thought to have originated in England, and descendants of this name can be found there today. It is especially common in East Anglia, the easternmost region of England, and the city of Norfolk in particular.

The surname can also be found in the United States. The first Peaslee to arrive in America is believed to have been Thomas Peaslee, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1638 and then settled in New Hampshire. Descendants of Thomas can be found throughout America today, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

The last name has also spread to other parts of the world. In France, the equivalent version of Peaslee is "Peslin" and there, the name is particularly common in Normandy. In Canada, many descendants of Thomas can be found, mainly in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Finally, Peaslee can also be found in parts of Croatia and Serbia. During the eighteenth century, a wave of emigrants from England moved to southeastern Europe and the name has become rooted there.

Overall, the last name Peaslee is quite widespread, with descendants to be found in a number of countries throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Peaslee

The surname Peaslee has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common of these is Peasley, which is the most likely spelling for those with this surname. Other versions include Pesely, Peasly, Peaslye, Peecely and Peecelye.

Variations of Peaslee may also be found in other parts of the world, such as in France, where the spelling is Pezeley. In English areas, the variations Pasley and Pazley may appear.

The origin of the Peaslee surname is generally said to be from the Old English words pæsl and leah, meaning "meadow" or enclosed pasture. Thus, the original bearers of the surname most likely came from an area of open land or meadow. Variations in the spelling of the name were likely due to changes in spelling over time, either due to mishearing or a genealogical mistake.

The Peaslee family can trace its roots back to the counties of Leicestershire and Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom. Records suggest that the family was present in this area as early as the 11th century.

The Peaslee family is still present in the countries of Australia, Canada, Scotland, and the United States of America. The current variations in the spelling of the surname, such as the French version of Pezeley, suggest that the family has spread out to more distant parts of the world. The common thread between them is that they all share the same origin in a small English town.

Famous people with the name Peaslee

• James Peaslee: American WWI Medal of Honor recipient
• Casey Peaslee: a Major League Baseball pitcher
• Harry W. Peaslee: a former mayor of Nashua, New Hampshire
• Edwin Henry Peaslee: an American architect
• Jonas Peaslee: a Brigadier General of the Colonial American army
• A. M. Peaslee: an auctioneer and real estate agent
• Mary W. Peaslee: American beekeeper and entomologist
• William Peaslee: a 2-time Major League Baseball umpire
• Doc Peaslee: a basketball coach
• Andrea Brooke Peaslee: an American/Indian researcher

Other surnames

Peasley