Family Name

Origin Displayed: English

The name Pierce is tied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It comes from the baptismal name for the son of Peter. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint.

Definition: Adapted from the given name Piers (a derivation of Peter, which means "rock") and usually meaning "son or descendant of Piers or Peter."

Surname Origin: English, Welsh

Alternate Surname Spellings: PEARCE, PEARSE, PEARSON, PIERS, PIRS, PYRS, PEERS

First found in Somerset where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Anthony Pearce who settled in Virginia in 1650; Edward Pearce settled in Virginia in 1637; George Pearce settled in Virginia in 1663; John and Judith Pearce settled in Boston in 1637.

Some noteworthy people of the name Pierce