Pierce Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Pierce surname: its meaning, its roots in England & Ireland, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Pierce name
Pierce comes from Piers, the Middle English and Old French form of Peter, a favourite name in honour of the apostle. In Ireland the Pierces were an Anglo-Norman family established in County Wexford after the 12th-century invasion, and the name is also common in Kerry. Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, came from a New Hampshire family of English descent.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Pierce name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Pierce name in England & Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Ireland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Pierce pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Pierce coat of arms.
Pierce name FAQ
What does the Pierce name mean?
From Piers (Peter). Common variants include Pearce, Pierse, Peirce.
Where does the Pierce surname come from?
It originates in England & Ireland, and is also found in the United States, Ireland and Australia.
Is there a Pierce coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Pierce crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Pierce coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).