This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Purvis family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Purvis Family History

Purvis Surname Meaning

Scottish English (Midlothian Northumberland and Durham; of Norman origin): status name or occupational name from an unrecorded Anglo-Norman French purveis probably a derivative of purveoir ‘to foresee; to provide (supplies)’

and synonymous with Anglo-Norman French purveiour ‘steward who provides food and supplies to a royal or monastic household’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Purvis family from?

You can see how Purvis families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Purvis family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Purvis families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 892 Purvis families living in Durham. This was about 39% of all the recorded Purvis's in United Kingdom. Durham had the highest population of Purvis families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Purvis surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Purvis ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Purvis. 19% of Purvis men worked as a General Labourer and 79% of Purvis women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Purvis were Tyne Pilot and Unpaid Domestic Duti.

View Census Data for Purvis | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    19%
  • Colliery Hewer
    5%
  • Builders Labourer
    5%
  • Tyne Pilot
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    79%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    2%
  • Incapacitated
    2%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duti
    2%

What Purvis family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 97,000 census records available for the last name Purvis. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Purvis census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Purvis

Passenger Lists

There are 19,000 immigration records available for the last name Purvis. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Purvis immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 18,000 military records available for the last name Purvis. For the veterans among your Purvis ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Purvis military records

You've only scratched the surface of Purvis family history

Discover More

What is the average Purvis lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Purvis life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1952, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Purvis in 1942 was 42, and 76 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Purvis

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Purvis ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Purvis family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial