Show ContentsPerrow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Perrow family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Perrow is based on the name Peter. This name was a baptismal name that was originally derived from the French name Pierre and was a diminutive of the name Parrot, which means little Peter.

Interestingly, the English word "parrot," for the talking bird, was not in use until the 16th century, much later than this word's use as a surname.

Another source claims the name was originally "De Perrott from Castel Perrott, which he built in Armorica (Brittany), and the town of Perrott, one league from it. He came over to England in 957, and obtained some lands in Wessex, on a river which changed its name to the Perrot (now corrupted to the Parret), in Somersetshire." 1

Early Origins of the Perrow family

The surname Perrow was first found in Pembrokeshire where they were granted the lands of Ystington, Haroldston, and Carew Castle in that shire by King William for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. 2 Sir Stephen Perrott married Helen, the daughter of Marchion Ap Rice, Prince of South Wales at the beginning of the 12th century. "The valour and magnanimity of Sir Stephen gained him the respect and love of the Princess Ellyn's people. Their son, Sir Andrew, claimed the kingdom of Wales, in right of his mother, and collected a body of forces in assertion of his right, but the King of England marched a numerous army into the country to take advantage of the disorders; the knowledge of which and a sum of money offered by the English king, through the Bishop of St. David's, brought him to declare for that prince, who knighted him, on his doing homage for the land for twenty miles round Sir William's camp, whereon he built the Castle of Narbeth, whose ruins are extant in Pembroke." 1

Thorp Perrot Hall is a large 18th-century country house standing in an estate on the northern edge of Snape village. North Perrot(t) is a parish, in the union of Yeovil, hundred of Houndsborough, Berwick, and Coker, W. division of Somerset and South Perrot(t) is a parish, in the union of Beaminster, hundred of Beaminster-Forum, and Redhone, Bridport division of Dorset. 3

"The name of Parrott, probably a form of Perrett or Perrott, a common Somersetshire name, is better represented in Buckinghamshire, and is referred to also under that county. There was a gentle family of Parratt in the parish of Enstone [Oxfordshire] during the reign of Elizabeth." 4

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. Ralph Perot was listed in Essex in 1235 and later in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Bedfordshire. William Poret was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301; and John Parrat was in early London records in 1344. 5

Early History of the Perrow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Perrow research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1528, 1550, 1571, 1579, 1583, 1588, 1592, 1597, 1601, 1604, 1608, 1611, 1617, 1622, 1626, 1629, 1636, 1659, 1671, 1677, 1679 and 1683 are included under the topic Early Perrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Perrow 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 Perrow include Perrot, Parrott, Parrot, Perrott, Perot, Perott, Perrett and many more.

Early Notables of the Perrow family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Rober Perrot (died 1550), English organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, second son of George Perrot of Harroldston, Pembrokeshire; Sir James Perrot (1571-1636), a Welsh writer and politician, Member of Parliament for Haverfordwest in 1597, (1604-1622) and (1626-1629), Custos Rotulorum of Pembrokeshire...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Perrow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Perrow family to Ireland

Some of the Perrow family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Perrow 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:

Perrow Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Gabriel H. Perrow, aged 44, a butcher, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 6
  • Harriett Perrow, aged 42, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 6
  • Henrietta Perrow, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 6
  • William Perrow, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 6
  • Anne Perrow, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Perrow (post 1700) +

  • Mosby Garland Perrow Jr., (1909-1976), American educator who was key figure in Virginia's abandonment of "Massive Resistance" to public school desegregation
  • Charles B. Perrow, American emeritus professor of sociology at Yale University
  • Mark Perrow (b. 1965), South African sprint canoer at the 1992 Summer Olympics


The Perrow Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Amo ut invenio
Motto Translation: I love as I find


  1. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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