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Attached are some interesting quotes from other websites regarding the history of the PRIOR name.... Margaret Boyer wrote.... "`From what I've read in different genealogy books, our name of Prior, regardless of how it is spelled, originated in France. Were French Huegenots. They followed a King, who when put to death the Priors ran for their lives and were scattered out into other countries. So regardless of what country they were from when they came to the U.S.A. they are still of the same original French ancestors. The name can be traced back to the reign of Henry III 1216-1232. A knightly family known as de PRIERS, pronounced de PRAYERS also de PREYERS. Name was also spelled dePRIORUR. Some Pryors went to Britian wih the Duke of Normandy, who won the battle at Hastings and became William I of England. Thee were manors called PRAYERS, PRYORS or PRAYOURS. King Edward I { 1272-1307} had two knights called Sir John & Sir Edward de PRIERES. During Henry VII reign in 1507, Sir Andrew PRIOR held the manor. Probably the name PRIOR was the most original in England and most if not all PRYORs can be traced back to it. The name de PRAYERS changed over time to PRIER, PRYER,PRIOR,PRYOR. Early historians considered the names of PRIORUR,PRYOUR,PRIOUR, PRIOR as the same, just written different ways by those who could write. Most early writers wrote a name according to how it sounded to him. Also religious houses were called PRIORIES / Hope this helps. There is more to be found on his surname in different books." H E Byars wrote.... "Bardsley's ENGLISH SURNAMES says, "Prior, Pryor--Official, 'the prior,' the head of a convent", and lists several examples including Hugh le Priur, co. Suffolk, 1273; Richard le Prior, co. Suffolk, ibid.; and Anthony Prior who took out a marriage license with Elizabeth Sharsey in London in 1577"