Show ContentsPartrech History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought the Partrech family name to the British Isles. Partrech comes from the given name Patrick. It was largely as a result of the fame of the 5th century Romano British saint of this name that Patrick was such a popular given name in the Middle Ages. It derives from the Latin Patricus, meaning the son of a noble father, a member of the patrician class, and a member of the Roman hereditary aristocracy.

They claim descent from Patrick de la Lande who was from La Lande near Caen in Normandy. "William Patrick de la Lande is mentioned by Wace as the entertainer of Harold during his visit to Normandy, and as challenging him to combat at Hastings for breach of his oath." 1

To better understand this quotation, the reader needs to know that Wace (c. 1110-1174) was a Norman poet, born in Jersey. His "Roman de Brut," was a verse history of Britain, based on the Historia Regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth. In many ways, Wace's works often referred to as Wace's poems, are the only accurate history of those times.

Early Origins of the Partrech family

The surname Partrech was first found in Norfolk and Suffolk where King William granted a barony of fifteen fees shortly after the Norman Conquest to the aforementioned William Patrick. "William, his son, witnessed a charter of William I., to Savigny Abbey." 1

Within one hundred years of the Conquest, branches of the family were found in northern England including the mention of Paganus de la Lande who held three fees in 1165 from the see of York.

Early History of the Partrech family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Partrech research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1201, 1211, 1564, 1613, 1626, 1632, 1679, 1684, 1689, 1695, 1707 and 1748 are included under the topic Early Partrech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Partrech Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Patrick, Patryck, Partick and others.

Early Notables of the Partrech family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Simon Patrich (d. 1613), English translator, matriculated as a pensioner at Peterhouse, Cambridge and was a member at Elizabeth's visitation in August 1564; and his grandson, Simon Patrick (1626-1707), was an English theologian and bishop...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Partrech Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Partrech family to Ireland

Some of the Partrech family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Partrech family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Partrech or a variant listed above: Henry Patrick who settled in Virginia in 1638; Leo Patrick settled in Virginia in 1646; Daniel Patrick and his wife settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630.



The Partrech 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: Ora et labora
Motto Translation: Pray and work.


  1. 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)


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