The Pruce family name dates back to 1066 when the Norman Conquest of England introduced a plethora of new names and words into Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a proud, haughty, or brave being derived from the Old French word prous.
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Early Origins of the Pruce family
The surname Pruce was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. However, some remained in Normandy as Drogon Prose was listed there in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1195.) 1
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Early History of the Pruce family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pruce research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1608 is included under the topic Early Pruce History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Pruce Spelling Variations
A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Prouse, Prouze, Prowse, Prowze, Prouz, Prowes and others.
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Early Notables of the Pruce family
More information is included under the topic Early Pruce Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Pruce migration to New Zealand
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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:
Pruce Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Mr. Charles Pruce, (b. 1853), aged 21, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 26th July 1874 2
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Pruce migration to New Zealand 
England
