Prior Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Prior come from? What does the surname Prior mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Prior and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Surname Prior Origin: What does the last name Prior mean?
The surname Prior originates from England and first appeared in records around the early 1401.0. It has remained closely associated with England from the 1401.0 to the 1801.0 centuries. The volume of records with the Prior surname grew significantly in England by the 1901.0 century, where it remains prominent today.
YourRoots data confirms the presence of the Prior surname in England since the early 1401.0, with a steady expansion over the centuries. The Prior surname has maintained its prominence in England and continues to be a notable name in the country.
Prior Last Name History: Where did the last name Prior come from?
Origin of Prior Surname: Where does the last name Prior originate from?
According to YourRoots data, the surname Prior first appeared in records from England around the early 1401.0. Please note that this reflects only YourRoots data for the exact Prior spelling and does not include other record sources or surname variations.
History of the Last Name Prior: What does the Prior surname history look like in the early days?
The Prior surname remained closely associated with England from the 1401.0 to the 1801.0 centuries.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Prior surname today?
By the 1901.0 century, the volume of records with the Prior surname grew significantly in England. The Prior surname remains prominent in England.
Explore Prior last name heritage and Prior surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Prior Surame?
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior (September 7, 1980 - ) is a former American professional baseball pitcher known for his time with the Chicago Cubs. Despite a promising career marred by injuries, Prior showcased impressive pitching skills, including a mid-90s fastball and a curveball. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching and currently serves as the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior's journey from a standout college player at the University of Southern California to a highly-touted MLB prospect is a testament to his dedication to the sport. His impact on the game and his coaching success make him a notable figure in the baseball world.
Maddy Prior
Madeleine Edith Prior MBE (born Aug 14, 1947) is an English folk rock singer known for her time as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span. She has also collaborated with artists like Tim Hart, June Tabor, and The Carnival Band. Prior runs an Arts Centre called Stones Barn in Cumbria and campaigns for Cancer Research UK. Additionally, she inspired the character Madelyne Pryor in the X-Men comics. With a career spanning decades, Prior continues to tour and release albums, showcasing her versatile talent in folk, rock, and traditional music.
Jeffreys prior
Sir Harold Jeffreys (22 April 1891 – 18 March 1989) was a British mathematician, statistician, and astronomer known for his work in Bayesian statistics. He developed the Jeffreys prior, a non-informative prior distribution used in parameter estimation. This prior is especially useful in scale parameters and exponential family models, reducing bias in point estimates. Jeffreys' contributions to statistics have had a lasting impact on the field, with his methods still being utilized in modern research and analysis.
Murder of Sharron Prior
Sharron Kim Prior (February 9, 1959 – April 1, 1975) was a Canadian schoolgirl whose high-profile murder in Montreal, Quebec, remained unsolved for 48 years. Abducted on her way to meet friends, she was found raped, beaten, and suffocated. In 2023, DNA evidence led to the identification of Franklin Maywood Romine as the perpetrator, who had died in 1982. Romine's DNA matched evidence at the crime scene, closing the case. Prior's family found some closure knowing her killer was no longer a threat.
Matt Prior
Matthew James Prior (Feb 26, 1982 - ) is a former cricketer known for his aggressive right-handed batting and wicket-keeping skills. Born in South Africa and raised in England, Prior played for Sussex County Cricket Club and the England national team. He made history by becoming the first English wicket-keeper to score a century in his Test debut. Despite facing criticism for his glovework, Prior had a successful career until his retirement in 2015 due to injury. He also ventured into cycling as the co-owner of One Pro Cycling. Prior's contributions to English cricket have left a lasting impact on the sport.
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