Surname Pierce - Meaning and Origin

Peeling Back Layers of Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Test Insights on the Pierce Surname

Upon receiving my iGENEA DNA test results, I was immediately excited by the unfolding narrative about my ancestry, particularly related to the surname Pierce. The test laid out fascinating insights about my heritage, tracing back to Western Europe's Early Middle Ages. My paternal lineage, carrying the Pierce surname, was revealed to be part of the common Western European R1b haplogroup, suggesting my Pierce forefathers emerged there.

U. Pierce

Pierce: What does the surname Pierce mean?

The last name Pierce is of English origin and is derived from the personal name Peter, which means "rock" in Greek. The name became popular due to St. Peter, one of the apostles of Christ in the New Testament. In old English, Peter was often pronounced as "Piers" or "Pierce". As a result, these forms of pronunciation evolved into a surname. Therefore, someone named Pierce would have been a descendant or relative of a person named Peter. Moreover, Pierce can also mean "to penetrate" or "pierce through," adding an implication of strength or assertiveness to the name's bearers. Piers, Percy, and Pearson are other commonly seen versions of this surname. Notably, it gained popularity in medieval Europe and later spread to other parts of the world through colonization. The name Pierce has been associated with nobility and a person of remarkable qualities.

Pierce: Where does the name Pierce come from?

The last name Pierce is an English, Irish and French surname, popular throughout Britain and the English speaking world. Today, it is one of the more common surnames in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Within the United States, the Pierce surname is most frequent in the states of Texas, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Based on US census data from 2020, about 0.214% of people in the United States have the last name Pierce. It is particularly common in southern states, and is one of the more frequent surnames in those regions.

In the UK, Pierce is most common in Scotland, Wales, and England, and is the 33rd most popular surname in the country. Over 90,000 people in the UK have the last name Pierce. It is also common in Ireland, but not quite to the same degree as in the other countries of the British Isles.

Having originated in both English and French, the Pierce surname is also found in some other countries with historical connections to the British and French empires. This includes South Africa, India, and Canada, all of which have significant populations of people with the last name Pierce.

Overall, the Pierce surname can be found in more than 25 countries worldwide, which speaks to its commonality in many English-speaking regions.

Variations of the surname Pierce

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pierce include:

• Pearce – This is the most common variant of the Pierce surname. It is derived from the old English surname ‘Piers,’ which means ‘rock’ or ‘stone.’

• Peerce – This variant is the most common amongst individuals of Jewish heritage.

• Peirce – This spelling of the Pierce surname can be found in various parts of the world, including the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

• Pirs – This spelling of the Pierce surname is usually found in British records.

• Pyrce – This variant of the Pierce surname is most commonly found in Ireland, as it is an Anglicised form of an Irish Gaelic surname.

• Piercey – This is a colloquial spelling of the Pierce surname, usually used in the United States.

• Piers – This variant of the Pierce surname is found primarily in Europe and is the original form of the surname.

• Pers – This variant of the Pierce surname is found mostly in Germany.

• Piercee – This variant of the Pierce surname is found mainly in the United States.

• Piercy – This variant of the Pierce surname is most common in the United Kingdom.

• Purs – This spelling of the Pierce surname is most frequently found in Scotland.

• Peirson – This is a variant of the Pierce surname that is most commonly found in Scandinavia.

• Pierz – This spelling of the Pierce surname is usually found in Poland.

Famous people with the name Pierce

• Jaime Pierce: Actress in Teen Wolf, Unaccompanied Minors, This Is Us, and Women of the House.
• Tammy Pierce: Pro golfer with multiple Women's Professional Golf Tour (WPGT) titles.
• David Hyde Pierce: Actor known for roles in The Powers That Be, Cheers, Frasier, and Vanya on 42nd Street.
• Pierce Brosnan: An Irish actor, producer, environmentalist, and activist, best known for his leading role as James Bond in a number of films from 1995 to 2002.
• Tyra Banks: Model, producer, author, and TV host who hosted America's Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show.
• Linda Pierce: Retired Indian Administrative Service officer and social activist.
• Katharine Pierce: Former professional tennis player, who was active during the 1970s.
• Charles Pierce: Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian, writer, actor, and game show host.
• Zeta-Jones Pierce: British-American actress, who is best known for her roles in The Mask of Zorro, Entrapment, Traffic, and Chicago.
• Brian Pierce: Former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Montreal Expos.

Other surnames

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