Surname Phearis - Meaning and Origin

Phearis: What does the surname Phearis mean?

The last name Phearis is an English surname derived from the Old French word "fiere" meaning ‘fierce’, with the spellings Parrish, Parris, and Phearis being most commonly used. The name Phearis is thought to have originated from Normandy after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and subsequently found its way to England. It is believed that some of the earliest ancestors of the family migrated to England in the 12th century.

The Phearis family was initially considered to be a noble family, and kept records of its family members in the village of Upham in Hampshire, England. The Phearis family went on to become renowned across England, with members of the family having been showcased in the English Particular Baptismal Register.

The Phearis family also became famous in Irish circles. Irish Phearises gained prominence in the 1800s, where families such as the Phearises, of County Kilkenny, were significant and famous in local and national politics.

The name Phearis is an indication of strength and endurance, and is associated with qualities such as ferocity and a passionate nature. Today, the name is still used by many descendants of the family in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and America, as well as other countries of the English diaspora.

Phearis: Where does the name Phearis come from?

The surname Phearis is a variation of the more common surname "Pharis," which has its roots in Saint Pharis. The name was popularized by the Pharisains, a religious group mentioned in the Bible, and today the surname is most commonly found in the southern United States.

In the U.S., it is most common in Georgia and Alabama with a large concentration of the name in Emanuel and Baldwin counties, respectively. The name is also prevalent in the northern region of Florida, again with a large concentration in Bay and Okaloosa counties. Beyond the United States, the surname Phearis can be found in Ireland, France, Germany, and Sweden.

Within the United States, the surname Phearis has seen a slight decline in popularity over the last century. There are currently an estimated 3,000 people with the surname residing within the nation, which is quite low compared to some other more common surnames. However, many of the people with the surname are descendant from the same family line, so it is not completely unheard of.

Due to the small population of the surname, it is unlikely that many people with the surname live in a single area. Rather, they are spread out across the entire United States and in some other countries as well. Those with the surname Phearis can still easily come together and gather at family reunions and other events.

Variations of the surname Phearis

The surname PHEARIS is a variant spelling of the surname PHARIS. Other variants are PHARRIS, PHARES, PHARISS and FARISS. It is also found as PHAIRES, PHAIRS and PHARES.

The surname PHEARIS is of either English or Scottish origin. In Scotland it is most likely derived from the Old Scottish Gaelic "Pharis", however in England it is likely derived from the Old English "Feara", which meant "bull".

In England the surname is found most predominantly in Devon, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire.

Alternate spellings and surnames that are related to Phearis include Parriss, Parris, Parries, Pariss, Parriss, Pharress, Farris, Parrott, Fariss, Faris, Ferris, Fairris, Fairis, Fairs, Faireis and Fairers.

The surname is also found as an Americanized version, as PEARIS. It is likely this version was created when an ancestor of the original Phearis spelling changed the surname to sound more American.

In conclusion, the surname Phearis is a variant spelling of the surname Pharris and is likely of either English or Scottish origin. It has numerous spellings and related surnames, and even an Americanized version of PEARIS.

Famous people with the name Phearis

• Kevin Pearis Jr.: American actor and model who appeared in the drama series Law & Order True Crime and played the role of Ty on the Nickelodeon show iCarly.
• Harry Pearis: American YouTuber and Twitch streamer, known for creating Let's Play videos featuring games like Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario Maker 2.
• Emma Pearis: British actress who starred in the BBC show, Doctor Who, and also appeared in hit films like The Imitation Game and Cinderella.
• Ray Pearis: Danish pro skater and street style expert who competed in the X Games and appeared on season two of MTV's The Challenge as a guest.
• Trevor Pearis: Scottish freeskier who has won multiple gold medals for his performances in the World Cup and the Winter Olympics.
• Jessica Pearis: Australian model and actress who appeared in the 2016 hit movie Logan and the TV shows Neighbours and Home and Away.
• Matthew Pearis: American football player who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2004 and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.
• Darius Pearis: Canadian singer-songwriter best known for his work on the soundtrack for the movie Life of Pi and for appearing on live TV in a series of duets with Celine Dion.
• Wanda Pearis: American country and pop singer who had a number of hits on the Billboard charts including her number one single, "Unforgettable".
• Erick Pearis: Jamaican sprinter who won a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics for his performance in the 400 metres and is a former world record holder for the event.

Other surnames

Phearys