Paradise History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

Early Origins of the Paradise family

The surname Paradise was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Norman influence of English history dominated after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. The family name was first referenced in the 14th century when they held estates in that county.

Early History of the Paradise family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Paradise research. Another 147 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1334, 1455, 1487 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Paradise History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Paradise Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Paradise, Paradice, Paradis, de Paradis, Paredise and many more.

Early Notables of the Paradise family

the Paradise family of Wiltshire

Paradise Ranking

the United States, the name Paradise is the 7,466^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Paradise migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Paradise or a variant listed above:

Paradise Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Paradise, who settled in Virginia in 1654

Paradise Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Paradise, who arrived in New York in 1761
Francis Paradise Jr. who was deported to America in 1766

Paradise Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lucy Paradise, who arrived in Virginia in 1815
Benjamin Paradise, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868

Paradise 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:

Paradise Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Isaac Paradise, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
Mr. John Paradise, (b. 1855), aged Infant, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
Mr. John Paradise, (b. 1821), aged 35, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
Mrs. Isabella Paradise, (b. 1828), aged 28, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
Miss Jane Paradise, (b. 1848), aged 8, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd July 1856 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Paradise (post 1700) +

Michelle Paradise (b. 1972), American actress, writer and producer, best known for the short film The Ten Rules and the television series Exes and Ohs
Jack L. Paradise, American professor emeritus of pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Dick Paradise (1945-1992), American ice hockey player who died at age 47 after suffering a heart attack during a charity game in Medford, Wisconsin
Robert Harvey "Bob" Paradise (b. 1944), American former professional ice hockey defenseman, inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html