Parsison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Parsison comes from one of the family having worked as a person who worked as the parson or clergyman. This individual probably lived or worked at the parsonage. 1

Early Origins of the Parsison family

The surname Parsison was first found in Norfolk where Clemens filius Persone was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2 Over in Somerset, William Parson and Isabel Parsones were both listed in Kirby's Quest as living 1 Edward III (in the first year of Edward III's reign.) 3

Roger le Persones was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1323 and Alicia le Parsones was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1327. 1

"A striking example of a purely south of England name, not to be found in my list north of a line drawn west from The Wash. It is represented in most of the southern counties, but its great home is in Wilts, whilst it is also numerous in most of the counties around this centre, namely, in Somerset, Dorset, Hants, Oxfordshire, and Monmouthshire." 4 True to the quote, only one entry was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Johannes Parsonson. 2

Early History of the Parsison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Parsison research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1704 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Parsison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Parsison Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Parsison have been found, including: Parsons, Parson and others.

Early Notables of the Parsison family

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

Migration of the Parsison family to Ireland

Some of the Parsison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Parsison family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Parsison, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Christopher Parsons settled in Virginia in 1663; along with Edward 1639; Elizabeth 1677; George 1747; Giles 1654; Grace 1651; Henry 1643; James 1635; John 1619.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.