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![Show Contents]() Purves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Purves surname is generally thought to have come from the Middle English word "purveys," meaning "provisions," or "supplies;" and as such it was likely an occupational name, for a person responsible for procuring the supplies of a monastery or manor house. 1 One source claims the English name comes from the "(Anglo-French-Latin), dweller at a Parvis or Porch (gen. of a church) [Anglo-French parvys, Old French parvis, Low Latin paravis-us; Latin paradis-us] The parvis, or portico, of old St. Paul’s was much frequented by lawyers." 2 "A Sergeant of the Lawe, war and wys, That often hadde ben at the Parvys." Chaucer, Canterbury Tales. Early Origins of the Purves familyThe surname Purves was first found in Suffolk where "the Purvises of Darsham [may have] originated from the family of Purvis 'of that Ilk' in Scotland. 'That Ilk,' however, does not appear to be identified, although the name Purvoys, or Perves, is found in ancient records of the Lowland counties. I think the name is more likely to be derived from the Anglo-Norman pervis, or praise." 3 Another source concurs with the Scottish origin theory, 4 but as an occupational name, we are uncertain as to which came first. We do note that Gilbert Purveys was found in London in 1400 and Eva Purveys was found in Norfolk in 1450. 4 "In 1451 John Graunger of the butlery of the Prioress of St Radegund, Cambridge, was paid 3s. 'in regardo pro officio Purvis domine' (Rad 174), the editor explaining Purvis as 'a servant who acted as purveyor, provisor'. cf. OFr porveor 'provider' of supplies, especially in a hospital. ' 4 Early History of the Purves familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Purves research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1296, 1450, 1453, 1524, 1590, 1715, 1772 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Purves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Purves Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Purvis, Purves, Purvice, Purvess and others. Early Notables of the Purves familyMore information is included under the topic Early Purves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Purves family to Ireland
Some of the Purves family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Purves migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Purves Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Alexander Purves, who arrived in America in 1700 5
Purves Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Francis Purves, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
- William Purves, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
- Andrew Purves, who landed in New York in 1825 5
- John Purves, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 5
- Alexander and William Purves, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1860
| Purves migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Purves Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- William Purves, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"
| Purves 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: Purves Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Miss Isabella Purves, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 6
- Mr. James Purves, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 6
- Robert Purves, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred The Great" in 1859
- Mr. Adam Purves, Scottish settler travelling from Leith aboard the ship 'Melbourne' arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 18th March 1861 7
| Contemporary Notables of the name Purves (post 1700) | + |
- William Purves, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in North Sydney, 1884
- Dale Purves (b. 1938), American neurobiologist
- James Hamilton Purves (b. 1947), former English cricketer
- Christopher Purves, contemporary English bass-baritone
- Elizabeth Mary "Libby" Purves OBE (b. 1950), English radio presenter, journalist and author
- Peter Purves (b. 1939), English actor and television presenter
- James Purves (1734-1795), Scottish sectary, born at Blackadder, near Edington, Berwickshire
- Cecil John Harry "Cec" Purves (b. 1933), Canadian politician, former mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Jane Purves (1950-2013), Canadian politician and newspaper editor for the Halifax Chronicle Herald
- William Michael "Bill" Purves (1870-1900), Irish professional footballer
- ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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: Clarior e Tenebris
Motto Translation: The brighter from previous obscurity.
- Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- 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)
- 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)
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
- 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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Purves migration to the United States 
Purves migration to Australia 
Purves migration to New Zealand 
England
Scotland
Ireland
