Meaning & History
Origin and Meaning
Perry 2 is a Welsh surname originating from the patronymic phrase ap Herry, meaning "son of Herry." This construction, typical of Welsh naming traditions, uses ap ("son of") before a given name, which in this case is a medieval English form of Henry. Over time, the ap was absorbed into the surname, resulting in the modern form Perry.
Root and Variants
The name Herry itself is a medieval variant of Henry, which derives from the Germanic name Heimirich, meaning "home ruler" (from heim "home" and rih "ruler"). Henry was introduced to England by the Normans in the form Henri, and became a royal name, borne by eight English kings. In medieval England, the pronunciation Harry or Herry was common. Similar patronymic surnames derived from Henry can be found in other languages, such as Norwegian Henriksen and Dutch Hendriks, Hendrikx, Hendrix, and Heijmans.
Distribution and Cultural Context
As a Welsh surname, Perry is most commonly found in Wales and the English border counties. The name reflects the Celtic and Germanic language contact in medieval Britain, as a variant of a Germanic name that was adopted and adapted in Welsh naming conventions. Today, the surname is also found in other English-speaking countries through emigration.
- Meaning: Son of Herry (itself a variation of Henry, meaning "home ruler")
- Origin: Welsh
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage Regions: United Kingdom, especially Wales
Related Names
Sources: Forebears — perry-2