Prow Surname History

Origins Available:
England

The history of the name Prow begins with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This Norman name was soon thereafter given to a proud, haughty, or brave being derived from the Old French word prous.

Early Origins of the Prow family

The surname Prow was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. However, some remained in Normandy as Drogon Prose was listed there in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1195.) 1

Early History of the Prow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prow research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1608 is included under the topic Early Prow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prow Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Prow family name include Prouse, Prouze, Prowse, Prowze, Prouz, Prowes and others.

Early Notables of the Prow family

More information is included under the topic Early Prow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Prow family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Prow family to immigrate North America: George Prouse who settled in Virginia in 1624; Emblence Prouse settled in Virginia in 1639; Germaine Prouse settled in New York in 1775; John Prowse settled in Virginia in 1639..

Citations +

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)