Peirson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the Peirson family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Peirson is based on the French given name Pierre, which is equivalent to the English Peter as in son of Peter or Pierre.1 2 3

Early Origins of the Peirson family

The surname Peirson was first found in Berwickshire where the name was derived as "son of Pier." Walter Pierson of Berwickshire rendered homage to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. 4 However, some of the family were found at early times in Lancashire, specifically at the township of Shevington where "Crook Hall was the seat of the Pearsons." 5

In Somerset, early rolls there listed Walter Peressone and Richard Peresone, both 1 Edward III, (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls from 1379 included: Robertus Perisson. 7

Early History of the Peirson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Peirson research. Another 213 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1369, 1472, 1506, 1529, 1537, 1540, 1541, 1542, 1544, 1545, 1567, 1587, 1590, 1592, 1594, 1604, 1612, 1613, 1628, 1634, 1642, 1647, 1648, 1650, 1651, 1657, 1662, 1665, 1667, 1670, 1677, 1686, 1720 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Peirson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peirson Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Peirson include Pearson, Peerson, Pierson, Peirson and others.

Early Notables of the Peirson family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Samuel Peirson (c. 1647-1720) was an English Organist of Chichester Cathedral (1677-1720); and John Pearson (1612-1686), was an English theologian and scholar, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge (16...

Migration of the Peirson family to Ireland

Some of the Peirson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peirson migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Peirsons to arrive on North American shores:

Peirson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Peirson, who landed in Maryland in 1657 8
Margaret Peirson, who arrived in Virginia in 1662 8
Steph Peirson, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 8
Isabella Peirson, who arrived in Maryland in 1675 8
Nathaniel Peirson, who landed in Maryland in 1676 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peirson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Martha Peirson, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
Theo Peirson, who landed in Virginia in 1706 8
Joseph Peirson, who arrived in New England in 1716 8
Benjamin Peirson, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 8
Thomas Peirson, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Peirson (post 1700) +

John Frederick Peirson (1925-2021), Canadian ice hockey player from Winnipeg, Manitoba who played right wing for the Boston Bruins (1946-1958)
Francis Peirson (1757-1781), British Army officer, the eldest son of Francis Peirson of Lowthorpe, Yorkshire, known for his heroic efforts at the Battle of Jersey on 6 Jan. 1781; he refused to obey the order to surrender and drove out the invading French forces
John Frederick "Johnny" Peirson (1925-1946), Canadian NHL ice hockey right winger for the Boston Bruins (1946-1958)

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. 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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)