Press is a surname with two unrelated origins. In England and Wales, it derives from Priest or Price. In Eastern Europe (especially centered around Minsk), it is a Jewish name, likely derived from the Sephardic surname Peres (Perez, Peretz, Perutz).[1] It also is a metonymic occupational surname that refers to the occupation of someone who ironed clothes, derived from the Yiddish "pres" or flat iron. [2]

Gravestone of Solomon Press showing Hebrew name Peretz (פרץ)

People with the surname include:

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Press", Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
  2. ^ Patrick, Hanks (2006-01-01), Hanks, Patrick (ed.), "Press", Dictionary of American Family Names (Dictionary), Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195081374.001.0001/acref-9780195081374-e-49961, ISBN 978-0-19-508137-4, retrieved 2020-06-12