Prynne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

There is a debate as the the origin of this family. One source claims the name is a nickname, as in "Pryne, chief, first." 1 Another source agrees, stating the name was derived from the Old French word "prin", (Latin primus) ‘first, superior; small, slender’. 2

Another source claims the family originated in Cornwall and "were formerly called Resprynn, and they are supposed to have originated from Resprynn, an estate in the parish of Lanhydrock." 3

Early Origins of the Prynne family

The surname Prynne was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The family name was first referenced in the year 1275 when Matilda Pryn held estates in that shire. In the same year, William Prin was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire and later, Nicholas Prinne was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

Revisiting the aforementioned Cornish origin, another branch of the family was found in Bodrean, Cornwall as "the seat of Henry Prynn Andrew, Esq. was acquired by his alliance with the family of Prynn." 4

Early History of the Prynne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prynne research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1043, 1327, 1455, 1487, 1600, 1648 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Prynne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prynne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Prin, Prinn, Pryn, Prynn, Prynne and others.

Early Notables of the Prynne family

Distinguished members of the family include

William Prynne (1600-1669), Somerset born, English lawyer and Puritan, who published Puritan tracts, assailed Anglican ceremonialism and attacked popular amusements, especially plays

Prynne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Prynne Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Arthur Prynne, (b. 1877), aged 28, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 5
Mr. William J. Prynne, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 5
Mr. Willie Prynne, (b. 1878), aged 27, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 5

Prynne migration to Australia +

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

Prynne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Prynne, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Standard" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Prynne (post 1700) +

George Halford Fellowes Prynne (1853-1927), the designer of many parish churches in England
William Prynne (1600-1669), English lawyer, author, polemicist, and political figure
George Fellowes Prynne (1853-1927), British architect
Jeremy Halvard Prynne (b. 1936), British poet, and educator at the University of Cambridge

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)
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.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STANDARD 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1852.shtml