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Show ContentsPearce History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Pearce was formed. The name was derived from the baptismal name for the son of Peter. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint.

Early Origins of the Pearce family

The surname Pearce was first found in Somerset where one of the first records of the family was listed with an early spelling of the name: Richard Perys, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) The same rolls included Robert Peres; Ralph Peres; and Adam Peres. 1

Some of the family were also found in Cornwall. "The barton house of Davidstowe, [in the parish of Davistow, Cornwall] which is now inhabited by labourers, and Trehane, now occupied by a farmer, were originally seats of the Pearse family, from whom, together with their estates, they passed in marriage to John Nicholls, Esq. Since that time Davidstowe has again returned to the Pearse family; and, together with the great tithes, is now the property of William Pearse, Esq.. whose residence is at Holwell." 2

Early History of the Pearce family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pearce research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1520, 1548, 1603, 1612, 1615, 1622, 1625, 1629, 1630, 1645, 1661, 1667, 1674, 1690, 1691, 1694, 1697, 1699, 1714, 1719, 1726, 1772, 1845 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pearce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pearce Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Pearce include Pearce, Pierce, Pierse, Pearse, Pears, Peerce, Peers, Peirse and many more.

Early Notables of the Pearce family

Distinguished members of the family include William Peeris (fl. 1520), English chronicler, clerk in holy orders and secretary to Henry Algernon Percy, fifth earl of Northumberland.Stephen Perse (1548-1615), was founder of the Perse Grammar School at Cambridge and Fellow of Cambridge College.Sir Edmund Peirce or Pierse (died 1667), of Greenwich, Kent and Holborn, Middlesex, was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Maidstone 1661 to 1667...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pearce Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pearce World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pearce is the 1,032nd most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Pearce is ranked the 652nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,929 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Pearce is the 219th popular surname with an estimated 198 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Pearce as 97th with 26,294 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Pearce as 124th with 3,667 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Pearce as 123rd with 40,435 people. 8

Ireland Migration of the Pearce family to Ireland

Some of the Pearce family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 201 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Pearce migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Pearce were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Pearce Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John and Judith Pearce, who settled in Boston in 1637
  • Edward Pearce, who settled in Virginia in 1637
  • Anthony Pearce who settled in Virginia in 1650
  • George Pearce, who settled in Virginia in 1663
Pearce Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Pearce, who settled in Virginia in 1761
Pearce Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Pearce, (b. 1815), aged 21, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 11th May 1836 9
  • Mr. John Pearce, (b. 1817), aged 25, Cornish miner departing Penzance aboard the ship "Triton"arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 9
  • Mrs. Mary Pearce, (b. 1816), aged 26, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Triton" arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 9
  • Mr. M.A. Pearce, (b. 1811), aged 37, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 9
  • Mr. W. Pearce, (b. 1836), aged 12, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Pearce migration to Australia +

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

Pearce Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Pearce, (b. 1742), aged 61, British Convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1831 10
  • James Pearce, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Miss Charlotte Pearce, (Hopkins), (b. 1793), aged 21, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. John Pearce, English convict who was convicted in Southwark, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. Alexander Pearce, (b. 1791), aged 28, Irish labourer who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 3rd October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1824 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Pearce 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:

Pearce Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard E Pearce, (b. 1835), aged 6, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 15
  • Mrs. Ann Pearce, (b. 1810), aged 46, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 16
  • Mr. George Pearce, (b. 1817), aged 39, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 16
  • Mrs. Georgina Pearce, (b. 1821), aged 35, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 16
  • Mr. George Pearce, (b. 1841), aged 15, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Pearce 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. 17
Pearce Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Robert Pearce, who settled in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Pearce (post 1700) +

  • Russell K. Pearce (1947-2023), American politician, Member of the Arizona Senate (2006-2011), President of the Arizona State Senate (2011)
  • The Most Reverend George Hamilton Pearce SM, DD (1921-2015), American prelate, the first Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Apia, Samoa
  • Jordan Paul Pearce (b. 1986), American professional ice hockey goaltender
  • Stevan Edward "Steve" Pearce (b. 1947), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico (2011-)
  • Heath Gregory Pearce (b. 1984), American soccer player
  • William Houghton Sprague "W.H.S." Pearce (1864-1935), American painter
  • Alicia Pearce (1917-1966), Emmy Award-winning American actress
  • Edward Pearce (1939-2018), English political journalist and writer from Wenlock, Shropshire, lead writer for The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian
  • Richard Pearce (1835-1868), English Victorian plant collector
  • Ian Anthony Pearce (b. 1974), English former professional footballer
  • ... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Robert  Pearce, Canadian Cook aboard the SS Stella Maris from Conception Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
HMAS Sydney II
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Richard Ernest Pearce (d. 1945), British Steward aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
  • Ewart Thomas Pearce (d. 1945), British Able Seaman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 20
HMS Hood
  • Mr. William F Pearce (b. 1907), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Dugshai, India moved to Southsea, Hampshire England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
  • Mr. Ronald J Pearce (b. 1920), English Leading Supply Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
  • Mr. Harry R Pearce (b. 1917), English Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
  • Mr. Arthur S Pearce (b. 1919), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Bristol, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Denis Pearce, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Pearce, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Leslie William Pearce, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 22
  • Mr. Gilbert F Pearce, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Anthony F Pearce, British Engine Room Artificer 5th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • ... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Royal Oak
  • James T. Pearce, British Commissioned Gunner with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 23
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Alfred Ernest Pearce (d. 1912), aged 24, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. John Pearce (d. 1912), aged 28, English Senior Fifth Engineer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Ernest Pearce (d. 1912), aged 32, English Third Class passenger from London who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Alonzo Pearce Jr., American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 25

Suggested Readings for the name Pearce +

  • Pearce, Bartlett, Matthews, Smart, and Allied Families by James Alonzo Matthews Jr..
  • Pearce Pioneers in Kentucky by Marvin James Pearce.
  1. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. 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)
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  11. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/castle-forbes
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. 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
  19. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  20. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  21. 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
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. 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
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  25. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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