| ![Show Contents]() Peels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Peels surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived by the palisade. Peel was a square tower in olden times. 1 2 While the name is generally believed to be Anglo-Saxon, one source notes the name could have been Norman: "Radulphus Pele occurs in Normandy 1180; Robertus Piel 1180-95; William Pele 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae). Of these, Robert, son of Robert le Pele (c. t. Henry II.), gave lands in Monk Bretton, York, to the abbey there. From this northern family descended the Peels of Yorkshire and Lancashire, ancestors of the celebrated minister of England, Sir Robert Peel." 3 Early Origins of the Peels familyThe surname Peels was first found in Lincolnshire where Walter Pele was registered in the Assize Rolls for 1202. In 1238, Henry Pele was listed in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire and later, Robert Peel was recorded in Nottinghamshire in 1382. Somerset records show Robert de Pele there in 1199. 4 "Many old mansions still bear the name of 'the Peel' in the North of England. Peel Castle in Furness is well known, and no doubt 'John Peel' of Cumberland hunting celebrity got his name from that spot. The name is still well known in that county. " 2 "Within my recollection, almost every old house in the dales of Rede and Tyne was what is called a peel-house, built for securing the inhabitants and their cattle in moss-trooping times." 5 Early History of the Peels familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Peels research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1556, 1565, 1598, 1890 and 1965 are included under the topic Early Peels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Peels Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Peels include Peel, Peal, Peale, Peele and others. Early Notables of the Peels familyDistinguished members of the family include George Peele (c1556-1598), Elizabethan translator, poet, and dramatist who some claim collaborated with William Shakespeare on the play Titus Andronicus; and Sir Robert Peel, statesman, who as Home Secretary, two-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he re-organized the London Police Force. One of his sons Arthur...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Peels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Peels family to Ireland
Some of the Peels family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Peels migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Peels Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Hugh Peels, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Peels Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Arthur Rob't Peels, aged 50, who landed in America from Lewes, England, in 1911
- John Peels, aged 24, who landed in America, in 1922
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Industria
Motto Translation: Industrious.
- Halliwell, James Orchard. A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial WordsLondon: John Russel Smith, Old Compton Street, Soho, 1848, Digital, 2 Vols
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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Peels migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
