Surname dictionaries indicate that the origin of the surname is Welsh, derived from the patronymic system where the phrase 'ap Harry', meaning 'son of Harry', became combined to form the one word 'Parry'. Published pedigrees (often unproven) support this in that they start from family lines whose names change each generation, leading to someone called Harry, whose descendants then take the Parry surname.

Famous Parry's:

Blanche Parry - lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I
Caleb Hillier Parry - British physician
Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry - English Composer
Sir William Edward Parry - English Rear Admiral and arctic explorer