Petre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The earliest origins of the Petre surname lie with the name of an ancestor. The name is derived from the personal name Peter. This is derived from the Latin name Petrus, which in turn comes from the Greek name Petros. The word "petros" means "rock" or "stone." Peter was an extremely popular personal name in medieval Europe since it was the name conferred by Christ upon the apostle Simon bar Jonah. He became St. Peter and is regarded as the founding figure of the Christian Church.

Early Origins of the Petre family

The surname Petre was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Petre family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Petre research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1549, 1572, 1598, 1603, 1613, 1626, 1631, 1633, 1660, 1684, 1688, 1689, 1699, 1706 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Petre History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Petre Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Peters, Peter, Petre, Petry and others.

Early Notables of the Petre family

Prominent in the family at this time was

John Petre, 1st Baron Petre (1549-1613), Lord-Lieutenant of Essex
Edward Petre (1631-1699), English Jesuit and privy councillor, a close adviser to King James II
Sir William Petre (c.1505-1572), an Oxford lawyer
William Petre, 4th Baron Petre (1626-1684), an English peer, victim of the Popish Plot
Thomas Petre, 6th Baron Petre (1633-1706), Lord Lieutenant of Essex in 1688
Robert Petre, 7th Baron Petre (1689-1713), a British peer

Petre Ranking

In France, the name Petre is the 3,149^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 1

Petre migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Petre Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Petre, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 2

Petre Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Philip Petre, aged 22, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1740 2
Jacob Petre, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 2
John William Petre, aged 28, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1776 2

Petre Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Johann Petre, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 2
Henry Petre, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1882 2

Petre migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Petre Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Petre, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 14th August 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Petre 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:

Petre Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Petre, aged 19, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
Hon. Henry Petre, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 4
Hon. Henry. W. Petre, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 4
Mrs. Petre, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Petre (post 1700) +

Joseph William Lionel Petre (1914-1989), 17th Baron Petre, English peer
John Patrick Lionel Petre (b. 1942), 18th Baron Petre, English peer
Lionel George Carroll Petre (1890-1915), 16th Baron Petre, English peer
Philip Benedict Joseph Petre (1864-1908), 15th Baron Petre, English peer
William Joseph Petre (1847-1893), 13th Baron Petre, English peer
William Bernard Petre (1817-1884), 12th Baron Petre, English peer
William Henry Francis Petre (1793-1850), 11th Baron Petre, English peer
Robert Edward Petre (1763-1809), 10th Baron Petre, English peer
Robert Edward Petre (1742-1801), 9th Baron Petre, English peer
Robert James Petre (1713-1742), 8th Baron Petre, English peer
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Petre 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: Sans Dieu rien
Motto Translation: Without God, nothing.