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Last Name Peraire

What is the origin of the last name Peraire?

The surname "Peraire" is of French origin. It derives from a place name in France called Péreguers, located in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales. This name is composed of two elements: "pera" meaning pear tree, and "er" referring to a clearing or open space. The surname Peraire thus means "from the clearing with pear trees." Over time, it has been anglicized to various forms, including Pereira in Portugal and Spain, and Perraire or Parrere in some regions of France.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Peraire

The meaning and origin of the last name Peraire

The surname Peraire is of Spanish origin, specifically from the region of Valencia. It is derived from the occupation of a "perero", which refers to someone who prepared and sold cheese in medieval times. In this context, "pera" means "cheese" and "-eir/-er" denotes one who performs or deals with that particular item. Over time, the spelling has been adapted into various forms such as Peré, Pérez, or Peraire, depending on local dialects and historic records. The name is relatively common in Spain and its former colonies, reflecting its historical significance and cultural diffusion.

Geographical distribution of the last name Peraire

The surname Peraire is primarily concentrated in France, where it originates from the region of Languedoc-Roussillon, particularly the department of Aude. It also has a significant presence in neighboring regions such as Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales. Outside France, there are notable populations of individuals with the surname Peraire in countries like Spain, Argentina, and Switzerland, indicating historical migration patterns from France. Additionally, smaller communities of Peraires can be found across other European nations, South America, North America, and parts of Africa and Oceania, often as a result of diaspora or colonial expansion. The name is relatively rare globally but has established distributions in various geographical locations due to migration and the passage of time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Peraire

The surname Peraire has various spelling variations including Perair, Pereyre, Perayer, and Perreyre. These variations stem from differences in transcription over time and regional dialects. Additionally, it may also appear as Péreires or Pérayre in French documents due to the diacritic marks. Another variant could be Perray or Perré, both of which are slightly modified forms. The name's origin is likely from the Occitan word "peraire," meaning "pear tree," reflecting its geographical association with southern France and Spain.

Famous people with the last name Peraire

The Péraire family has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most prominent is Jean-Pierre Pérignon Péraire (1780-1863), a French naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was involved in numerous significant battles, including Trafalgar. In the realm of science, there's Paul Langevin Pérignon Péraire (1872-1957), a physicist known for his work on electromagnetism, marine geophysics, and for developing the Langevin function used in physics and engineering. In literature, Suzanne Bernardine Henriette Périsset Péraire (1839-1906), pen name Suzanne Bernard, was a French novelist who wrote historical romances and is considered one of the most popular French authors of her time. Lastly, in the world of art, there's Jean Périgot Pérignon Péraire (1848-1906), a French painter and lithographer known for his landscape paintings and illustrations for various publications. These individuals demonstrate the diverse talents and achievements that bearers of the surname Péraire have attained throughout history.

Genealogical research on the last name Peraire

The surname Peraire is of French origin, derived from the personal name Pierre, which means "stone" or "rock" in French. It's been documented as a surname since the Late Middle Ages in France and its neighboring regions, where it was often adopted by individuals who were named Pierre during their lifetime. Notable figures bearing the Peraire surname include Nicolas-Joseph Perrault de Vaux, a French lawyer and politician, and Marie-Joseph-Étienne de Jomard, a French Egyptologist. The name has also been found among the Breton immigrants who settled in Brittany's colonies in America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Variations of the surname include Perrault, Pereira (Portuguese), and Perré (French regional dialect). Genealogical research on the Peraire name can uncover a rich history spanning multiple continents and time periods.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

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