Press
A surname that may come from a nickname for a press or from a related word meaning “ready” or “willing.”
The #8,308 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 77,399 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The main dictionary evidence points to two possible origins. One is an Anglo-French nickname from the word for a press or pressing instrument, ultimately from French and Latin roots meaning “to press.” Another tradition connects it with a Celtic/Gaelic word for a thicket, suggesting someone who lived near scrubland or woodland. Lower also suggests a different possibility, linking the name to Old French prcst, meaning “ready” or “willing,” so the surname may have more than one source.
History
Harrison treats Press as a surname distinct from Prees, and Lower compares it with Prest rather than giving a single settled derivation. Because the surname is uncommon, it may reflect more than one local or language-specific origin rather than one family line. Modern bearers in English-speaking countries likely descend from several unrelated branches.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Harrison explicitly says he does not think Press is simply a confused form of Prees.
From the historical record
“excluded] PRESS (A.-Fr.-Lat.) a nickname from the instrument so called [Fr.presse ; f. presser, Lat. pressure, to press] (Celt.) Dweller at a Thicket [Gael. preas] 1 do not think that there has been any confusion with Prees.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)