Pithill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Pithill is an old Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a person who was a person who worked as the pedder. Pedlars often carried his wares in a pack as he traveled throughout the countryside. But the name was originally derived from the Old English word pedder, which meant wicker worker or someone who worked with baskets from ped, a pannier or basket. 1

"In various English dialects signifies a Pedlar; but it must not be regarded as a corruption of that word; a ped, in the eastern counties, means a species of hamper without a lid, for the conveyance of fish, eggs, chicken, &c,; and the person who traffics in such small articles is therefore very properly styled a Pedder." 2

Early Origins of the Pithill family

The surname Pithill was first found in Oxfordshire where Robert Piedurs was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1199. Years later, William Le Pedelare was listed in Worcestershire in 1307 and Ralph le Pedeler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 3

Early History of the Pithill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pithill research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1656, 1679 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Pithill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pithill Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Pithill has been recorded under many different variations, including Pedler, Pedlar, Pedlow, Pedley, Pegler, Pedder and many more.

Early Notables of the Pithill family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pithill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pithill family to Ireland

Some of the Pithill 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 Pithill family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Pithill or a variant listed above: Francis and Robert Pedler, who settled in St. Christopher in 1633; Roger Pedlers, who settled in Virginia in 1655; George Pedley, who settled in Virginia in 1660.

The Pithill 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: Animo non astutia
Motto Translation: By courage, not by craft.

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)