P.C.C.: Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

P.R.O.: Public Records Office, London

Paddy: nickname for Patrick

Pal, Pallie: nickname for Palestine

patria (latin) father

patrimonium (latin) patrimony, property inherited from a father. Examples

patronymic: (medieval) a surname based on the father's name; i.e., Williamson or Fitz William See also toponym

Patsy, Patty: (fem.) nickname for Martha or Patricia

Patsy: (masc.) nickname for Patrick

Pearl, Purl: (masc.) in Kentucky, may indicate namesake of Granville Pearl

Peggy: nickname for Margaret

Phil: nickname for Phillip (or Philip) or Philamon

plague epidemic-type illnesses; i.e., the London Plague, which occured in "great" epidemics in 1563, 1593, 1603, 1625, 1665 (and "lesser" epidemics, including in the year 1609. (Ref: Plague in London: Spatial and Temporal Aspects of Mortality by Graham Twigg

Pleas, Plez: nickname for Pleasant (in Tennessee, often indicates namesake of Pleasant Miller, and may go by P.M.)

Polly: nickname for Mary

posthumous birth after the death of the father Example

primogeniture: a law requiring that property go to the lawful heir(s), designated as (priority order): eldest son; if eldest son dies without issue; (s.p.), then to next eldest; if no sons, then to father of deceased if still living, then to next eldest brother of deceased, etc. Example. See also Lines of Descent

primus, primo: (latin) first

procession: confirmation, reconfirmation of property lines. In colonial Virginia, each four years, all property-owners in a community, accompanied by court-appointed "processioners," would ride or walk along boundaries of all plantations, the results entered in a "processioner's book," the purpose to avoid disputes due to changes in watercourses, fallen trees, and other landmarks. Example

progeny: children Example

Purlina: variant of Paulina