Press is a surname with two unrelated origins. In England and Wales, it derives from Priest or Price. In Eastern Europe (especially centered around Minsk), it is a Jewish name, likely derived from the Sephardic surname Peres (Perez, Peretz, Perutz). It also is a metonymic occupational surname that refers to the occupation of someone who ironed clothes, derived from the Yiddish "pres" or flat iron. People with the surname include: Andrea L. Press (born 1955), American sociologist Ben Press (1924–2016), American tennis player, coach and writer Bill Press (born 1940), American talk radio host Christen Press (born 1988), American soccer player Evan Press (born 2000), Welsh footballer Fiona Press, Australian actress Frank Press (1924–2020), American geophysicist Irina Press (1939–2004), Soviet multi-sport track and field athlete J. Press (fl. 1910), American clothier founder Jim Press (born 1947), American automobile executive Jürgen Press (born 1965), German football manager Karen Press (born 1956), South African poet Malcolm Press (born 1958), British ecologist and professor Mikhail Press (1871–1938), Russian-American violinist and conductor Moses Alexandrovich Press (1861–1901), Russian engineer Natalie Press (born 1980), English actress Nigel Press (born 1949), British geologist who pioneered the development of commercial applications of satellite earth observation technology Robin Press (born 1994), Swedish ice hockey player Sara L. Press (born 1974), American book artist Steve Press (born 1946), American politician Tamara Press (1937–2021), Soviet shot putter and discus thrower, sister of Irina Press Toby Orenstein née Press (born 1937), American theatrical director, producer, and educator William J. Press (fl. 1908), British wrestler William H. Press (born 1948), American astrophysicist Yeshayahu Press (1874–1955), Israeli scientist See also Peretz Perutz Perez Peres Price References