Purves is a surname of

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

origin, which is a variant of Purvis. It is an

occupational surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name, ...

, meaning the person responsible for obtaining supplies for a household or monastery, derived from the

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

''purveys'' (meaning "provisions" or "supplies"), from the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligib ...

''porveoir'' ("to provide, supply").''Dictionary of American Family Names''
"Purvis Family History"
Oxford University Press, 2013. Retrieved on 18 January 2016. Notable people with this surname include: *

Andrew Purves Andrew Purves (born 1946) is a Scottish theologian in the Reformed tradition through the Church of Scotland (and later, the Presbyterian Church .html" ;"title="SA/nowiki>">SA/nowiki>). He holds the Chair in Reformed Theology at Pittsburgh Theolo ...

(born 1946), British theologian * Austin M. Purves Jr. (1900–1977), American artist *

Barry Purves Barry J.C. Purves (born 28 August 1960) is an English animator, director and screenwriter of puppet animation television and cinema and theatre designer and director, primarily for the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse in Manchester. Purves is a Bri ...

(born 1960), British animator and filmmaker *

Cec Purves Cecil John Harry "Cec" Purves (born October 18, 1933) is a politician in Alberta, Canada, who served as mayor of Edmonton. Early life Purves was born in Edmonton on October 18, 1933. He grew up in the city's Calder, Pigeon Lake, Norwood, River ...

(born 1933), Canadian politician *

Christopher Purves Christopher Purves (born in Cambridge) is an English bass-baritone.''Opera'' (2009), vol. 60, p. 516, "Christopher Purves. Erica Jeal. Purves sings his first Falstaff at Glyndebourne this month Before I get to talk with ... Home was Cambridge, wh ...

(born 1961), British singer *

Dale Purves Dale Purves (born March 11, 1938) is Geller Professor of Neurobiology Emeritus in the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences where he remains Research Professor with additional appointments in the department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, and the ...

(born 1938), American neurobiologist *

Daphne Purves Dame Daphne Helen Purves (née Cowie; 8 November 1908 – 14 October 2008) was a New Zealand educationalist. She was the first New Zealander to serve as president of the International Federation of University Women. Career Purves saw educati ...

(1908–2008), New Zealand educator * Della Purves (1945–2008), British botanical artist *

Herbert Dudley Purves Herbert Dudley Purves (25 September 1908 – 15 April 1993) was a New Zealand academic, chemist, mathematician, medical researcher and scientist. Biography He was educated at Hastings West Primary School and Napier Boys' High School. Purves' ...

(1908–1993), New Zealand scientist * James Purves (disambiguation), several notable people * Jodie Purves (born 1984), Australian cricketer * John Purves (disambiguation), several people * John-Clay Purves (1825–1903), British curator and geologist *

Laidlaw Purves William Laidlaw Purves MRCS, LRCP (16 April 1842 – 30 December 1917) was a Scottish-born surgeon who worked in London as an aural and ophthalmic surgeon. He contributed specialist articles to the medical literature but is mainly remembered for ...

(1842–1917), Scottish surgeon and golf advocate *

Libby Purves Elizabeth Mary Purves, (born 2 February 1950) is a British radio presenter, journalist and author. Early life and career Born in London, a diplomat's daughter, Purves was raised in her mother's Catholic faith and educated at convent school ...

(born 1950), British journalist * Margaret Purves (1934–2021), British recipient of the Albert Medal, later exchanged for the George Cross *

Peter Purves Peter John Purves (; born 10 February 1939) is an English television presenter and actor. He played Steven Taylor in ''Doctor Who'' under the First Doctor, a role he continued to play in audio dramas for Big Finish Productions. He later became a ...

(born 1939), British television presenter and actor * Ted Purves (born 1964), American artist *

William Purves (banker) Sir William "Willie" Purves, (, born 27 December 1931) was a Scottish banker until his retirement in 1998. He was the first Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings following the creation of a holding company to act as parent to The Hongkong and Shanghai ...

(born 1931), British banker

References

{{surname Surnames of British Isles origin English-language surnames

See also

References