Perry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Perry is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Perry family lived in Hampshire. Their name, however, is a reference to the Old English word perie, meaning pear tree, and indicates that the original bearer of the name lived near such a landmark. 1 "A branch came to England [in] 1066, and Matilda de Perer was mother of Hugo Parcarius, who lived temp Henry I." 2

Early Origins of the Perry family

The surname Perry was first found in Hampshire where they were originally descended from Norman Perree who was granted lands in Hampshire and recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as a tenant in chief 3, the name also appeared on the Roll of Battell Abbey. 4

From this earliest record, the family moved throughout Britain. Henry de Peri (de Piri) was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1176 and then in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199. Richard Pirie was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1198 and William de la Purie was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1243.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Walter atte-Pyrie in Oxfordshire; Roger de la Peyre in Cambridgeshire; and Richard de la Pirie in Oxfordshire. 1

By the 16th century, some of the family had moved to Scotland as seen by Donal Pery who was tenant of Uthircloy, Ardmanoch in 1504. 5

Early History of the Perry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Perry research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1381, 1392, 1560, 1570, 1573, 1608, 1617, 1635, 1669, 1670, 1693, 1698, 1732, 1739, 1742, 1743, 1780 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Perry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Perry Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Perry has been recorded under many different variations, including Perry, Perrie and others.

Early Notables of the Perry family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Henry Perry or Parry (1560-1617), Welsh scholar, born at Greenfield, Flint, descended from Ednowain Bendew, founder of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales
John Perry (1670-1732), was an English civil engineer and traveller, second son of Samuel Perry of Rodborough, Gloucestershire. In 1693 he superintended the repair of the Montague in Portsmouth harbou...
Charles Perry (1698-1780), was an English traveller and medical writer, a younger son of John Perry, a Norwich attorney. Between 1739 and 1742 he travelled in France, Italy, and the East, visiting Con...

Perry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Perry is the 84^th most popular surname with an estimated 233,778 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Perry is ranked the 230^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,476 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Perry is the 102^nd popular surname with an estimated 321 people with that name. 8 France ranks Perry as 3,299^th with 2,000 - 2,500 people. 9 Australia ranks Perry as 159^th with 18,849 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Perry as 162^nd with 3,202 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Perry as 146^th with 35,406 people. 12

Migration of the Perry family to Ireland

Some of the Perry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Perry migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Perrys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Perry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Isaac Perry, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
Thomas Perry, aged 34, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo
Mr. Robert Perry, (Percy), aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 13
Mrs. Dorothy Perry, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 13
Mr. Ben Perry, aged 4, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christian Perry, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 14
Eben Perry, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767 with his wife and two children
Jack Perry, aged 18, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1775 14

Perry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jane Perry, aged 30, who arrived in America in 1821 14
Howland Perry, aged 4, who landed in Kennebunk, Me in 1830 14
Hugh Perry, aged 6, who arrived in Kennebunk, Me in 1830 14
Bernard Perry, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1831 14
George Perry, who arrived in New York in 1835 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Charles Perry, (b. 1883), aged 21, Cornish blacksmith, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Carpathia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th July 1904 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. Edward Perry, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish railway labourer, from Lelant, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd May 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. George Perry, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. James Perry, (b. 1871), aged 34, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 15
Mr. Thomas Perry, (b. 1876), aged 29, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Perry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Perry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Henry Perry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ebenezer Perry, who landed in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
Mr. Samuel Perry Jr., U.E. born in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA from Parmintown, USA who arrived at Sorel [Sorel-Tracy], Quebec c. 1781, then resettled in 1784 New Carlisle, Paspebiac, Baie des Chaleurs, Gaspe, Quebec he enlisted in 1777 serving in Jessup's Rangers with Kings Loyal Americans Regiment 16
Mr. John Perry U.E. who arrived in Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783, then relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick was passenger number 35 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA, he died in 1803 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Perry, who landed in Canada in 1833
Samuel Perry, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Elder Perry, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Mr. Charles Perry, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wakefield" departing from the port of Wakefield, Cork but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 17
Mr. William Perry who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle on 10th July 1847 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Perry Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Edward Perry, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18

Perry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Perry, British Convict who was convicted in Reading, Berkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1802 19
Miss Mary Perry, British Convict who was convicted in Westminster, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. William Perry, (b. 1796), aged 19, English labourer who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. John Perry, English convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
Margaret Perry, British convict from Britain, who was transported aboard the "Alexander" on November 4, 1815, settling in New South Wales, Australia 23
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Perry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

A. Perry, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clydeside" in 1841
Ann Perry, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
B. P. Perry, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tobago" in 1842 24
Mr. Thomas Perry, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tobago" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th September 1842 24
Charles Perry, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Perry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 25

Perry Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Hugh Perry, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 26

Contemporary Notables of the name Perry (post 1700) +

Katy Perry (b. 1984), born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, an American singer, songwriter and philanthropist who has sold over 100 million records
Matthew Langford Perry (1969-2023), American and Canadian actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends from 1994 to 2004
Willie Perry Jr. (1965-2023), better known as DJ Casper, an American DJ, hype man, and songwriter, born and raised in Chicago
Gaylord Jackson Perry (1938-2022), American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for eight different teams from 1962 to 1983, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991
Stephen M. Perry (1958-2019), known by his stage name Lizzie Grey, an American professional musician, known as a guitarist in the heavy metal band London and for co-writing the Mötley Crüe song "Public Enemy #1"
Coy Luther "Luke" Perry III (1966-2019), American actor, known for Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990), The Fifth Element (1997) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and Riverdale (2019)
Melvin Gray "Bob" Perry (1934-2017), American Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels (1963-1964)
James Richard "Rick" Perry (b. 1950), American politician, 47th Governor of Texas (2000-2015), 39th Lieutenant Governor of Texas (1999-2000), 14th United States Secretary of Energy (2017-)
Jim Perry (1933-2015), born James Edward Dooley, an American television game show host, singer, announcer, and performer
Bobby Jack "Bob" Perry (1932-2013), American homebuilder, owner of Perry Homes, Houston, Texas
... (Another 36 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Perry family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Vickie S Perry (1962-1985), American Private from Enfield, North Carolina, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Harold Perry (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 28
Mr. Wiliam Henry Perry (d. 1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 28

Halifax Explosion

Mr. E. Perry, Canadian stationed at the Composite Battalion from St. Louis, Prince Edward Island, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 29

HMS Hood

Mr. William H Perry (b. 1900), English Petty Officer Cook (O) serving for the Royal Navy from Rothsay, Buteshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
Mr. Leonard Perry (b. 1904), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Fareham, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30
Mr. Aubrey J W Perry (b. 1920), English Steward serving for the Royal Navy from Bristol, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 30

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. L Perry, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
Mr. H Perry, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31
Mr. A Perry, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 31

HMS Repulse

Mr. Samuel Harvey Perry, British Warrant Engineer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 32
Mr. Norman Clyde Perry, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 32

HMS Royal Oak

Dennis Walter Perry (1922-1939), born in Ripley, Surrey, England, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 33

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Frederick John Perry, English 1st Class Passenger residing in Buffalo, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 34
Mr. Albert Norriss Perry, English 1st Class Passenger residing in Buffalo, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 34
Mr. John Perry, English 1st Class Cabin Bed Steward from Seaforth, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 34

RMS Titanic

Mr. Edgar Lionel Perry, aged 19, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 16 35
Mr. Henry F.L. Perry, aged 23, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking 35

SS Caribou

Mr. C. P. Perry, British passenger who was Royal Air Force was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Seth H. Perry, American Seaman Second Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 36

The Perry Motto +

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: Recte agens confido
Motto Translation: While acting uprightly I am confident.

Citations +

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)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Alexander voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1815 with 12 passengers. Retrieved from Alexander voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1815 with 12 passengers
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html