Surname meaning & origin: Perez

SSP has prepared information about the meaning and origin of the surname Perez. It has a patronymic origin, derived from names such as Pero, Pedro, Petrus, Petros, etc. It signifies "son of Pero." In Spanish, the suffix "ez" indicates "descendant of." Additionally, Perez is believed to have connections to the apostle Simon, referred to as "rock" (Spanish: Pedro) by Jesus, acknowledging his role as the foundation of the church. 

Another possible origin for the surname Perez is the reference to the pear tree, known as "peral."

Furthermore, Perez may also be associated with the Sephardic Jewish surname Peretz, reflecting a variation within this cultural heritage.

In terms of popularity, Perez ranks as the 29th most common surname in the United States based on data from the 2000 census. It is also noteworthy as the 7th most frequent surname in Argentina and holds the distinction of being the 7th most common Hispanic last name.

Origin: Spanish

Different variations of the Perez surname include Peres, Peret, Peretz, Perets, Pharez, Parez, and Peris.

Noteworthy individuals bearing the surname Perez include:

• Rosie Perez: An American actress.
• George Perez: A renowned comic book artist.
• Selena Quintanilla-Perez: An iconic American musician known as the "queen of Tejano music".