| ![Show Contents]() Purfoy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the name Purfoy was first found in Britina. It was a name for a man of true faith. The name was originally derived from the Old French purefei, meaning one who was staunch and true and by my faith "The present spelling is a popular etymology, 'pure faith', which arose when per, par and pur fell together in pronunciation. " 1 Early Origins of the Purfoy familyThe surname Purfoy was first found in Staffordshire where the Feet of Fines list William Parfei in 1195 and Henry Parfei in the Assize Rolls of 1203. Later in Sussex, Robert Parfoy was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296. In Warwickshire, William Purfey was listed there in the 13th century. Again in Sussex, we found Ralph Perfai in 1327 and Ralph Parfay in 1332. Later again, William Purefay was found in Leicestershire in 1412. 1 "The family were seated at Misterton, co. Leicester, in 1277. The motto borne by one branch is 'Pure foy est ma joie.'" 2 Early History of the Purfoy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Purfoy research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1580, 1617, 1627, 1628, 1631, 1649 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Purfoy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Purfoy Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Purfoy are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Purfoy include Purefoy, Purefield, Purefree, Purefrey, Purfrey, Purfry and many more. Early Notables of the Purfoy familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was William Purefoy (c.1580-1659) who was appointed to the High Court of Justice that tried and condemned King Charles I in 1649. He was eldest son of Francis Purefoy (d. 1617), and was elected Member of Parliament for Coventry (1627-1628) and Sheriff of Warwickshire in 1631. He joined in the signing...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Purfoy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Purfoy family to Ireland
Some of the Purfoy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Purfoy familyFaced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Purfoy, or a variant listed above: Lieutenant Purfrey who settled in Virginia in 1623; Lucy Purefoy, who settled in Virginia in 1629; Samuell Purefoy, who came to St. Christopher (New England) in 1633.
- 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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England
Ireland
