Parisii

The Parisii were a Celtic clan that lived in the area now occupied by Paris, until overrun by forces of the Roman Empire.

The Parisii that could fled to an isolated strip in what is now England and from there went to what is now Ireland. Since Parisii was an odd name and since it was a custom of the time for a last name to be simply "of [placename]", and since some wanted to blend in , etc, the name Parisii began to change. Some kept Parisii; some changed it and it became "Paris" or "de Paris" (of Paris); As they moved into Ireland, the "h" was added; variations became O'Paris, O'Parish, and Parish. Then "The Church" came along and used "Parish" to denote areas, so the second "r" was added by some so as not to be associated with the Church. [1]

See also: List of peoples of Gaul

Footnotes

1. The Origins of the Family Names of Paris, Parish, Parrish, Pary, Parys, Etc.