Surname Pharriss - Meaning and Origin

Pharriss: What does the surname Pharriss mean?

The last name Pharriss is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name Peter. The name is first recorded in the late fifteenth century with a John Pharriss as a witness in Glasgow in 1491.

The name has been found in various parts of Scotland, including the counties of Ayr, Lanarkshire, Ross-shire, and particularly in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. During the 19th century it became popular across the country.

The Pharriss surname can be found in numerous records, as it is a common and widely-spread name in Scotland. It is heavily populated in the neighboring mid-west counties of England. It is also found in the United States, especially in the southern states.

The name Pharriss is associated with several notable figures, both in Scotland and abroad. John Pharriss and John Pharriss, Jr. were prominent 19th-century Scottish ministers; while William Pharriss was a celebrated polo player in the late 20th century. Additionally, the name is tied to dramatic innovations within the medical community; Dr. David A. Pharriss developed a pioneering prostate cancer treatment in the early 21st century.

The name Pharriss is tied to Scotland and has a rich heritage, with both well-known and lesser-known figures associated with it. It is not difficult to imagine that this surname is the result of generations of Scottish immigrants, as well as generations of living in Scotland.

Pharriss: Where does the name Pharriss come from?

The last name Pharriss is most commonly found in the United States today. In fact, the surname is the 10,723rd most common name in America. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname was established in the United States prior to 1880. People with the last name Pharriss originated from the English language and can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain.

People with the Pharriss last name originated in counties in England such as Devon and Cornwall and were thought to have descended from immigrants to the the British Isles from France, Spain, and other European countries. According to available records, the earliest occurrence of the surname was of one Richard Phares of Somersetshire, Rudgear in 1259.

Today, the surname Pharriss is most heavily concentrated in the southeastern United States, particularly in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Since its establishment in the United States in the late 19th century, the Pharriss family has spread across the United States. As of 2020, the last name was most popular in small towns and villages. It was the 1,571st most common name in America and the 977th most common last name in the country.

Variations of the surname Pharriss

The surname Pharriss is an anglicised version of MacFergus, an Irish surname which appeared in various guises at different times. It is of Gaelic origin, derived from the elements “Mac” meaning son of, and “Fergus” referring to the Irish personal name Fergus meaning man of strength.

Variants of the name Pharriss include the forms Pharris, Farris, Faris, Farrish, Farish, Fergus, MacFergus, Macfergus and Mac Fergus.

When anglicised the name can appear with a variety of alternative spellings, depending on the spelling preferences of the particular recorder. These spelling variations include: Faris, Feris, Parris, Parrish, Pherris, Pharrish, Pharis, Pharis, Phariss, Pharise, Phariss, Phare, Phares, Pharuss, Pharusse, Fergus and MacFergus.

Variations of the same origin include sarcastically surnames derived from the original Gaelic such as Ferris, eg Ferrish or Farrish.

The name Pharriss can also vary in form in all countries where it has been used. One such variant is the phonetically similar Harris, which should be distinguished from the separate Old English, or Anglo-Saxon personal name, ‘Heoric’ or ‘Hereweard’, from which Harris is derived.

Historically there are even fewer variations of the MacFergus surname. Some records spell the original Gaelic name as “MacFergus” (with an “F”) while others spell it “MacVirgus” (with a “V”). The spelling of the surname may also depend on the dialect of the speaker, which would likely have significantly influenced the pronunciation and spelling of the name as it changed over time.

Famous people with the name Pharriss

• Blake Pharriss: American professional NFL offensive lineman
• Brenda Carden Pharriss: American historian, author, archivist, and librarian
• David Pharriss Hill: American jurist and former mayor of Corpus Christi, Texas
• Ed Pharriss: Former member of the Texas Senate
• Jim Pharriss: Former NASCAR driver
• Kyle Pharriss: Republican politician, mayor of Lubbock, Texas
• Robert C. Pharriss: Award-winning American military historian
• Shannon Pharriss Olivas: Former Representative of the Texas House of Representatives
• William H. Pharriss: Award-winning American professor of law
• Loyd Pharriss: American football player who played in the NFL

Other surnames

Pharris