Show ContentsParadise History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Paradise surname comes from when someone in the family lived a town called Paradis, in Burgundy. In France, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and during the late Middle Ages, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names could sometimes denote the proprietorship of the village or estate.

Early Origins of the Paradise family

The surname Paradise was first found in Burgundy (Bourgogne) where they held a family seat in the seigneurie of Paulhac.

Early History of the Paradise family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Paradise research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Paradise History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paradise Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Paradis, Paradys, Paradise, Paradises, Paradisse, Paradisses, Paradyse, Paradyses, Paradysse, Paradysses, Paraidis and many more.

Early Notables of the Paradise family

More information is included under the topic Early Paradise Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paradise Ranking

In the United States, the name Paradise is the 7,466th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Paradise migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Paradise Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Paradise, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Paradise Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Paradise, who arrived in New York in 1761
  • Francis Paradise Jr. who was deported to America in 1766
Paradise Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lucy Paradise, who arrived in Virginia in 1815
  • Benjamin Paradise, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868

New Zealand Paradise migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Paradise Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Paradise, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
  • Mr. John Paradise, (b. 1855), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
  • Mr. John Paradise, (b. 1821), aged 35, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
  • Mrs. Isabella Paradise, (b. 1828), aged 28, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
  • Miss Jane Paradise, (b. 1848), aged 8, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Paradise (post 1700) +

  • Michelle Paradise (b. 1972), American actress, writer and producer, best known for the short film The Ten Rules and the television series Exes and Ohs
  • Jack L. Paradise, American professor emeritus of pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • Dick Paradise (1945-1992), American ice hockey player who died at age 47 after suffering a heart attack during a charity game in Medford, Wisconsin
  • Robert Harvey "Bob" Paradise (b. 1944), American former professional ice hockey defenseman, inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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