Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Pa

The surname Pate has its historical roots primarily in England and France, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old French word "pate," meaning "paw" or "foot," which may have been used as a nickname for someone with a notable physical characteristic or perhaps a reference to a profession related to animals, such as a butcher or a hunter.

The surname Painter has its historical roots in the occupational title derived from the Old French word "peintre," which means "painter" or "one who paints." This surname first appeared in England during the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French words and occupations were adopted into the English language. The name was often associated with individuals who were skilled in the art of painting, whether it be in the context of creating artworks, decorating buildings, or even working as sign painters.

The surname Paulson has its roots in the Scandinavian region, particularly deriving from the patronymic tradition common in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The name literally means "son of Paul," with "Paul" being a given name of Latin origin, meaning "small" or "humble." The use of patronymics became prevalent in the Middle Ages, and surnames like Paulson began to appear around the 14th century as families sought to establish lineage and identity.

The surname Paulsen has its historical roots in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Norway, where it is derived from the given name "Paul," which itself comes from the Latin "Paulus," meaning "small" or "humble." The suffix "-sen" translates to "son of," indicating a patronymic lineage. The surname first appeared in the medieval period, with records dating back to the 14th century.

The surname Patten has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to derive from the Old French personal name "Patin," a diminutive of "Patrice," which itself comes from the Latin "Patricius," meaning "noble" or "of noble birth." The surname likely emerged as a patronymic, indicating lineage or descent from an ancestor named Patin or Patrice.

The surname Partridge has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "pertriz," which means "partridge," a type of bird that was commonly hunted and consumed during that time.

The surname "Parent" has its historical roots primarily in France, where it is derived from the Old French word "parent," meaning "relative" or "kinsman." The name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who was a family member or had a close relationship with others in their community. The earliest records of the surname can be traced back to the medieval period, particularly in regions such as Normandy, where surnames began to be adopted more formally.

The surname Pacheco has its historical roots in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where it first appeared in the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Latin personal name "Pachus," which itself is thought to be a diminutive of "Paco," a name associated with the Spanish word for "peace." Over time, the surname became associated with various noble families and landowners, particularly in regions such as Castile and León.

The surname Padilla has its roots in Spain, particularly in the region of Castile. It is derived from the Spanish word "padilla," which means "shallow pan" or "dish," and is thought to have originally referred to a geographical feature or a type of occupation related to cooking or serving food.

The surname Parish has its roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "paroisse," which means "parish" or "local church community." It first appeared in the 12th century, particularly in areas where the Norman influence was strong following the Conquest of 1066. The name was often associated with individuals who held roles within the church or were connected to a specific parish, reflecting the importance of local governance and community in medieval society.

The surname Paxton has its historical roots in England, particularly in the northern regions, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English elements "pæcc," meaning "peace," and "tun," meaning "town" or "settlement." Thus, Paxton can be interpreted to mean "peaceful town" or "settlement of peace." Over time, the surname became associated with various occupations, particularly in agriculture and land management, as many bearers of the name were likely to have been landowners or farmers in these peaceful settlements.

The surname Packard has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to derive from the Old French word "pacard," which means "a packer" or "one who packs goods," indicating a possible occupational origin for those involved in trade or transport.

The surname Payton has its historical roots in England, where it is believed to have originated as a locational surname derived from various places named Payton, particularly in Devon and Somerset. The name itself is thought to derive from the Old English elements "pæga," meaning "a pagan" or "a heathen," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been associated with a settlement that had pagan connotations or was located in a heathen area.

The surname Paige has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French word "page," which referred to a young servant or attendant, particularly in noble households. The name likely emerged in the 12th century, following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when many French words and customs were integrated into the English language and society.

The surname Patel has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, particularly among the Gujarati community. Historically, the term "Patel" is derived from the Gujarati word "patel," which means "village headman" or "landowner." The surname first appeared in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where it was associated with individuals who held significant social and economic roles within their communities, often overseeing agricultural production and local governance.

The surname Parrott has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "perrot," a diminutive of "Pierre," meaning "rock" or "stone," which was brought to England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066.

The surname Paton has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly in the Lowlands, where it is believed to have originated from the medieval given name "Paton," a diminutive of "Patrick." The name Patrick itself derives from the Latin "Patricius," meaning "noble" or "of noble birth." The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 14th century, with individuals bearing the name often associated with agricultural or artisan occupations, reflecting the agrarian society of the time. The surname Paton may also have connections to the Gaelic word "pàdruig," which translates to "of Patrick," indicating a familial or ancestral link to St.

The surname Parnell has its roots in medieval England and is believed to derive from the given name "Parnell," which itself is a diminutive form of "Petronella" or "Pernelle." The name first appeared in historical records during the 12th century, particularly in the context of the Norman Conquest, which brought a wave of French influence to England. The surname is often associated with individuals who held roles in the church or landholding gentry, reflecting the social structures of the time.

The surname Pap has its historical roots primarily in Eastern Europe, particularly in regions that are now part of Hungary and Romania. The name is believed to derive from the Hungarian word "pap," meaning "priest," which indicates a possible connection to religious or clerical roles in society.

The surname Pasha has its roots in the Ottoman Empire, where it was originally a title of high rank, often bestowed upon governors or military leaders. The term "Pasha" derives from the Turkish word "paşa," which signifies a person of authority or nobility.