Parson
/ˈpɑːrsən/noun
A member of the clergy, especially a Protestant parish priest.
Did you know?Parson comes from the same deep Latin root as *person*, so the church title originally meant something like the “representative person” of the parish rather than a mystical rank.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
persōna
“A person, individual, or role; later also a legal or theatrical mask/character.”
Old French
Old French
persone
“A person; also a cleric responsible for a parish.”
Middle English
English
persoun / parson
“A parish priest or rector.”
14th-15th Century
English
parson
“The incumbent of a parish, especially one with full ecclesiastical duties and income.”
Modern English
English
parson
“A member of the clergy, especially a Protestant parish priest.”