Pearse is a name carried into Irish history by one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising.
Where does the Pearse name come from?
Pearse comes from the medieval personal name Piers, the old form of Peter, from the Greek petros, “rock.” It is closely related to the names Pierce and Pearson. In Ireland it also overlaps with the Hiberno-Norman Mac Piarais, “son of Piers,” found in the south.
Pearse in Ireland
The name is forever associated with Pádraig Pearse, the poet, teacher and revolutionary who proclaimed the Irish Republic at the General Post Office in Dublin in 1916. As a name of Norman and English roots settled in Ireland, Pearse is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Pearse comes from Piers, the old form of Peter.
- The Greek root petros means “rock.”
- It is related to Pierce and Pearson.
- It overlaps with the Hiberno-Norman Mac Piarais.
- Pádraig Pearse was a leader of the 1916 Rising.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Phillips, Palmer, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pearse an Irish surname?
Pearse is of Norman and English origin and is woven into Irish history, most famously through Pádraig Pearse.
What does Pearse mean?
It comes from Piers, an old form of Peter, from a Greek word meaning “rock.”