Pross History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The name Pross is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a priest having derived from the Old English word preost, which means priest. It was also a nickname given to a person with a priestly character, and probably also given to a person with the exact opposite character. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Pross family

The surname Pross was first found in Hertfordshire, where they held a family seat before the Middle Ages.

Early History of the Pross family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pross research. Another 391 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1557, 1558, 1579, 1615, 1621, 1645 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Pross History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pross Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Pross include Preost, Priest, Prest, Preist, Prestt, Press and many more.

Early Notables of the Pross family

Notables of the family at this time include Agnes Prest (died 1557), an English Protestant martyr burned at the stake at Southernhay in Exeter; Degory Priest (ca. 1579-1621), A London...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pross Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pross family to Ireland

Some of the Pross family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pross migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Pross were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Pross Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francs Pross, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1771 1

Pross Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hubert Pross, who arrived in America in 1842 1
August Herbert Pross, aged 29, who arrived in Missouri in 1845 1

Pross migration to Australia +

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

Pross Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Pross, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2

Pross 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:

Pross Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Alfred Pross, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1881 3
Mr. Walter Pross, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "May Queen" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 16th December 1881 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Pross (post 1700) +

Gordon Allen Pross, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 4th District, 1998 4