Powerful Last Names That Start With P

From the prestige of Prince to the artistry of Picasso, surnames starting with P pack a punch. Whether you are tracing a family tree, hunting for a character name, or just love etymology, these names span cultures and centuries. We have compiled a massive list covering everything from popular picks like Parker to rare gems like Pemberton to help you find exactly what you need.

39 Common Last Names That Start With P

You likely hear these names every day, from school rolls to office directories.

1. Pacheco: A Spanish surname linked to the name Francisco, meaning “Frenchman.”
2. Page: An occupational English surname for a servant or page in a royal court.
3. Palmer: Originates from the Latin “palma” (palm tree) and refers to a pilgrim who carried a palm branch.
4. Park: A very common Korean surname meaning “plain” or “simple,” or an English topographic name.
5. Parker: This English occupational name refers to a “park keeper” or gamekeeper.
6. Parkins: A patronymic name meaning “son of Parkin,” which is a medieval form of Peter.
7. Parkinson: Similar to Parkins, this English surname means “son of Parkin.”
8. Parry: A Welsh name meaning “ap Harry” (son of Harry).
9. Parsons: An English occupational name for the “son of a parson” or someone employed by a parson.
10. Patel: A Gujarati surname meaning “landowner,” incredibly common among Indian communities worldwide.
11. Patterson: A Scottish and Northern Irish patronymic meaning “son of Patrick.”
12. Patton: Derived from a diminutive of Patrick, meaning “nobleman.”
13. Paul: A classic surname found in France, Germany, and English-speaking countries, derived from the Latin Paulus (small).
14. Payne: Originally a nickname from the Latin “paganus,” meaning “villager” or “heathen.”
15. Peña: A Spanish topographic name for someone who lived near a cliff or rocky outcrop.
16. Perez: A ubiquitous Spanish name meaning “son of Pedro” (Peter).
17. Perkins: Means “son of Perkin,” a diminutive of Peter (the rock).
18. Perry: An English topographic name for someone who lived near a “pear tree.”
19. Peters: A patronymic surname common in Germany and England meaning “son of Peter.”
20. Peterson: The classic Scandinavian and English form of “son of Peter.”
21. Phạm: The Vietnamese form of the Chinese surname Fan, meaning “extensive.”
22. Phelps: An English patronymic surname meaning “son of Philip.”
23. Phillips: Means “son of Philip,” a Greek name meaning “lover of horses.”
24. Pierce: Derived from Piers, a medieval form of Peter.
25. Pollard: Historically a nickname for someone with a close-cropped head or a large head.
26. Popa: A Romanian surname meaning “priest.”
27. Pope: Originally a nickname for someone who played the Pope in a pageant or had a pious manner.
28. Porter: An occupational name for a doorkeeper or gatekeeper.
29. Potter: An occupational name for a maker of drinking vessels and storage pots.
30. Powell: A Welsh surname derived from “ap Hywel,” meaning “son of Hywel.”
31. Powers: Derived from the Old French “poier,” referencing someone from Poix in France.
32. Pratt: A nickname surname from the Old English “prætt,” meaning “trick” or “cunning.”
33. Preston: A habitational name from various places in England meaning “priest’s town.”
34. Price: A common Welsh surname derived from “ap Rhys,” meaning “son of Rhys” (enthusiasm).
35. Prince: Often a nickname for someone who acted in a regal manner or played the role of a prince.
36. Proulx: A French surname derived from “preux,” meaning “valiant” or “brave.”
37. Pruitt: An English name from the Old French “prou,” meaning “brave” or “valiant.”
38. Puerta: A Spanish topographic name for someone living near a town gate or mountain pass.
39. Pugh: A Welsh patronymic derived from “ap Hugh,” meaning “son of Hugh.”

63 Beautiful Last Names Starting With P

Whether they sound melodic or have lovely meanings like “peace” or “pear tree,” these names are undeniably aesthetic.

1. Pace: An Italian surname meaning “peace.”
2. Padilla: Spanish for “shallow dish” or “frying pan,” often used as a topographic name for a depression in the land.
3. Paget: A diminutive of Page, historically used for a small servant or page.
4. Paige: A spelling variant of Page, now a popular given name for girls.
5. Paisley: A Scottish habitational name and a famous textile pattern.
6. Pál: The Hungarian form of the name Paul.
7. Palazzo: Italian for “palace,” used for someone who lived near or worked in a mansion.
8. Palencia: A Spanish habitational name for someone from the city of Palencia.
9. Palladino: An Italian name derived from “paladin,” referring to a palace officer or knight.
10. Palmeiro: The Portuguese equivalent of Palmer (pilgrim).
11. Palmisano: An Italian name indicating someone from the town of Palmi.
12. Palomar: A Spanish and Provençal name for a pigeon keeper.
13. Palomo: Spanish for “male dove,” often used as a nickname for a mild-mannered person.
14. Paquet: A French name for a bundle carrier or firewood gatherer.
15. Paris: Used in England and France for someone with connections to the French capital.
16. Parish: An English variant related to Paris or a topographic name.
17. Parisi: An Italian habitational name for someone from Paris.
18. Parra: Spanish for “vine” or “trellis,” used for someone living near a vineyard.
19. Pascal: A French name derived from the Latin “Paschalis,” relating to Easter.
20. Pastor: A Spanish and English occupational name for a shepherd.
21. Pastore: The Italian form of Pastor, meaning “shepherd.”
22. Patil: An Indian (Marathi) surname meaning “village chief.”
23. Pavia: An Italian habitational name from the city of Pavia.
24. Paxton: An English place name meaning “Pœcc’s town.”
25. Payton: Derived from a place name meaning “Pæga’s town.”
26. Paz: Spanish for “peace,” often associated with the Virgin Mary (Maria de la Paz).
27. Peak: A topographic name for someone who lived near a pointed hill.
28. Pearce: A spelling variant of Pierce (son of Peter).
29. Pearson: An English patronymic meaning “son of Piers.”
30. Pecora: Italian for “sheep,” likely an occupational name for a shepherd.
31. Pedersen: A common Danish and Norwegian name meaning “son of Peder.”
32. Pei: A Chinese surname possibly referring to an ancient city.
33. Pellegrini: The plural form of Pellegrino, meaning “pilgrims.”
34. Pellegrino: Italian for “pilgrim” or “traveler.”
35. Pelletier: A French occupational name for a fur trader.
36. Pemberton: An English habitational name from a place in Greater Manchester.
37. Penn: A topographic name from the Welsh “pen,” meaning “hill” or “head.”
38. Penny: An English nickname surname possibly related to the coin or a personal name.
39. Pereira: A Portuguese name meaning “pear tree.”
40. Perrin: A French diminutive of Pierre (Peter).
41. Perugia: An Italian surname for someone from the city of Perugia.
42. Petit: French and Catalan for “small,” used as a nickname for a short or younger person.
43. Peura: Finnish for “deer” or “reindeer.”
44. Pfeiffer: German for “piper” or “whistler.”
45. Philippe: A French surname from the given name Philip.
46. Picard: Designates someone from the region of Picardy in France.
47. Picasso: Possibly from the Italian “pica” (magpie), implying someone who is talkative.
48. Piper: An English and German occupational name for a pipe player.
49. Plaskett: A topographic name for someone living by a swampy meadow.
50. Poirier: French for “pear tree.”
51. Poirot: A diminutive of “poire” (pear), famously used by Agatha Christie.
52. Polley: Derived from the Old French “poli,” meaning “polite” or “courteous.”
53. Pond: A topographic name for someone living near a small body of water.
54. Pontecorvo: Italian for “curved bridge,” denoting a specific place.
55. Poole: A variant of Pool, for someone living near a body of water.
56. Poppins: A rare surname made famous by Disney, possibly a variant of Pappan.
57. Porto: Italian and Portuguese for “port” or “harbor.”
58. Portoghese: Italian for “Portuguese.”
59. Potenza: From the Italian city Potenza, meaning “power.”
60. Presley: An English habitational name meaning “priest’s clearing,” associated with Elvis.
61. Prichard: The Welsh form of Pritchard (son of Richard).
62. Procházka: A Czech name meaning “walk” or “stroll,” used for traveling tradesmen.
63. Purcell: From the Old French “pourcel” (piglet), used as a nickname or occupational name.

107 Unique Surnames Starting With P

Looking for something rare? These unique surnames carry fascinating backstories, from ancient occupations to specific geographic roots.

1. Pabst: A German nickname meaning “pope.”
2. Pachis: A Greek nickname meaning “fat” or “thick.”
3. Paddon: A variant of Patton (little Patrick).
4. Padmore: An English habitational name from a place meaning “toad moor.”
5. Padovan: A variant of Padovano, for someone from Padua.
6. Padovano: Italian for someone from the city of Padua.
7. Pagani: An Italian cognate of Payne, meaning “villager” or “pagan.”
8. Pahlke: A German nickname related to a “pod” or “husk,” used for a small or thin person.
9. Pain: A spelling variant of Payne.
10. Pajari: Finnish for “boyar,” a type of nobleman.
11. Pakulski: A Polish habitational name from Pakuly.
12. Pallesen: Danish for “son of Palle” (Paul).
13. Palumbo: Italian for “ring dove” or “wood pigeon.”
14. Pan: Provençal for “bread” (baker) or Chinese for “plate.”
15. Pander: A Dutch occupational name for a brewer.
16. Pandev: Macedonian for “son of Pande” (Peter).
17. Panossian: Armenian for “son of Panos.”
18. Pantoja: A Spanish habitational name from Pantoja in Toledo.
19. Panza: Italian for “belly,” popularized by Sancho Panza.
20. Panzavecchia: Italian nickname meaning “old belly.”
21. Papadimitriou: Greek for “son of Dimitrios the priest.”
22. Papadopoulos: The most common Greek surname, meaning “son of the priest.”
23. Papageorgiou: Greek for “son of Georgios the priest.”
24. Papaioannou: Greek for “son of Ioannis the priest.”
25. Pape: French and North German for “pope.”
26. Papke: A German diminutive meaning “little pope.”
27. Papoutsis: Greek occupational name for a shoemaker.
28. Papp: Hungarian for “priest.”
29. Pardo: Spanish for “brown” or “dark-complexioned.”
30. Paredes: Spanish and Portuguese for “walls,” referring to ruins or house walls.
31. Parent: French for “relative” or “parent.”
32. Parma: Italian habitational name from the city of Parma.
33. Pärn: Estonian for “linden tree.”
34. Parodi: Italian habitational name from Parodi Ligure.
35. Parri: Derived from the Italian name Gaspare.
36. Parrino: Sicilian for “godfather.”
37. Parsamyan: Armenian for “son of Parsam.”
38. Passerini: Italian for “sparrows.”
39. Pasternak: Slavic for “parsnip,” used for growers or sellers of the vegetable.
40. Pataki: Hungarian for someone living near a creek (patak).
41. Patenaude: French variation of Paternoster.
42. Paternoster: Occupational name for a maker of rosary beads (paternoster beads).
43. Patriksson: Swedish for “son of Patrik.”
44. Paulauskas: Lithuanian patronymic for “son of Paulius.”
45. Paulissen: Dutch family name meaning “son of Paul.”
46. Paulsen: Danish and Norwegian for “son of Paul.”
47. Pauwels: Dutch and Flemish for “son of Paul.”
48. Pavlenko: Ukrainian patronymic from Pavlo (Paul).
49. Pavlov: Russian for “son of Pavel” (Paul).
50. Pavone: Italian for “peacock,” a nickname for a proud person.
51. Pawłowski: Polish habitational name from Pawłowo.
52. Peacock: English nickname for a vain or ostentatious person.
53. Peerenboom: Dutch for “pear tree.”
54. Peeters: Dutch and Flemish variant of Peters.
55. Pék: Hungarian for “baker.”
56. Pellé: French for “bald.”
57. Peltonen: Finnish for “small field.”
58. Pender: English occupational name for an animal impounder.
59. Peng: Chinese surname related to the mythological Peng bird.
60. Penzig: German name for someone from Pieńsk in Poland.
61. Périgord: French regional name.
62. Pesce: Italian for “fish,” used for fishermen or fishmongers.
63. Pesti: Hungarian for someone from Pest (part of Budapest).
64. Petőcs: Hungarian derivative of Peter.
65. Pettigrew: From French “petit cru,” meaning “small growth” (short person).
66. Peynirci: Turkish for “cheese maker” or “cheese seller.”
67. Pfaff: German for “cleric” or “priest.”
68. Piątek: Polish for “Friday,” possibly given to someone born on that day.
69. Piazza: Italian for “city square” or “marketplace.”
70. Pilgrim: English nickname for a traveler to a holy place.
71. Pilkvist: Swedish ornamental name meaning “willow twig.”
72. Pinheiro: Portuguese for “pine tree.”
73. Pini: Italian topographic name for someone living near pines.
74. Pintér: Hungarian for “cooper” (barrel maker).
75. Pinto: Spanish and Portuguese for “painted” or “spotted.”
76. Pires: Portuguese patronymic for “son of Pedro.”
77. Pittaluga: Italian nickname meaning “grape stealer.”
78. Pitts: English surname for someone living near a pit or hollow.
79. Plamondon: French topographic name for someone living near a flat-topped mountain.
80. Plank: English and German name for someone living by a footbridge.
81. Platt: English for “flat” or “thin.”
82. Pleško: Slovenian nickname for a bald person.
83. Pletscher: German topographic name related to a field.
84. Plourde: Possibly related to a type of shellfish or a place in France.
85. Podsedník: Czech for a “sitter” or smallholder.
86. Poggio: Italian for “knoll” or “small hill.”
87. Poindexter: From Old French “poing destre,” meaning “right fist.”
88. Pokorný: Czech for “humble” or “submissive.”
89. Polák: Czech and Slovak for “Pole” (person from Poland).
90. Pollock: Scottish habitational name.
91. Pololáník: Czech status name for a farmer holding half a “lan” of land.
92. Popławski: Polish for someone living near flowing water.
93. Popov: Russian for “son of the priest.”
94. Porcher: French and English occupational name for a swineherd.
95. Pottinger: English for a maker of pottage (soup) or an apothecary.
96. Poulin: French for “colt” or “foal.”
97. Pound: English for someone who managed the animal pound.
98. Pozzi: Italian for “wells.”
99. Pražak: Czech for someone from Prague.
100. Pretorius: Afrikaans surname from Latin “praetor” (magistrate).
101. Priddy: Welsh name related to a poet or bard.
102. Profeta: Italian for “prophet,” likely a nickname.
103. Protz: German surname for a show-off or boastful person.
104. Puga: Galician for “thorn,” implying a prickly personality.
105. Pusztai: Hungarian for someone from the “puszta” (steppes/plains).
106. Putin: Russian surname meaning “way” or “road.”
107. Putnam: English habitational name meaning “Putta’s homestead.”

Last Names That Start With P FAQs

What Spanish Last Names Start With P?

Perez is the heavyweight champion here, meaning “son of Pedro.” Other beautiful options include Ponce (bridge), Puerta (door), and Pacheco (Frenchman). If you want something nature-inspired, look at Peña (rock) or Parra (vine). These names are staples in Spain and Latin America.

What Are the Most Popular Last Names Starting With P?

Globally, names like Perez (Spanish), Patel (Indian), and Pham (Vietnamese) top the charts. In English-speaking countries, Parker, Phillips, and Peterson are extremely common. You will also see plenty of occupational names like Porter and descriptive ones like Price (son of Rhys) on any top 100 list.

What Are Some Powerful Surnames Starting With P?

If you want a name that commands respect, Powers is a literal and strong choice. Prince implies royalty, while Pellegrino (pilgrim) suggests a journey of faith. Provenzano carries an air of authority, and Pierce (rock) feels solid and unbreakable.

What Are Some Italian Last Names Starting With P?

Italian surnames starting with P are abundant and lyrical. Common examples include Parisi (from Paris), Pace (peace), and Poggio (hill). You will also find occupational names like Pastore (shepherd) and Pesce (fisherman), alongside descriptive nicknames like Pavone (peacock) for someone who is proud or flamboyant.