Show ContentsPear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Pear family

The surname Pear was first found in Oxfordshire at Oseney, where in year 1259 Henry and Reginald Perle were listed as holding lands at that time. The name is derived from the Middle English and Old French word "perle," meaning "pearl," one who sells pearls. 1

Thomas Perle was found in the Close Rolls of 1343. 2 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included a listing for Egidias and Richard Perles, but no counties were listed.

And one source postulates that the name could be Norman French as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae records John and Tustin Peril or Perol in Normandy in 1198. 4

Early History of the Pear family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pear research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1316, 1388, 1394, 1402, 1406, 1422, 1423, 1428, 1455, 1487, 1808, 1842, 1845, 1856, 1858 and 1886 are included under the topic Early Pear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pear Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Perle, Pearl, Pearle, Pear, Parl, Perl, Purl, Purle, Pearlman, Perlman and many more.

Early Notables of the Pear family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Cora Pearl (1842-1886), the English courtesan assumed the name Pearl. She was born Emma Elizabeth Crouch at Caroline Place, East Stonehouse, Devonshire, on 23 Feb. 1842. "She was the daughter of Frede...


Pear migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pear Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. William H Pear, aged 29, who settled in America, in 1894
  • William H Pear, aged 29, who landed in America, in 1894
Pear Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Sarah Pear, aged 37, who landed in America, in 1902
  • Morris Pear, aged 7, who immigrated to the United States from Manchester, in 1904
  • Philip Pear, aged 6, who landed in America from Manchester, in 1904
  • Rachel Pear, aged 11, who immigrated to the United States from Manchester, in 1904
  • Annie Pear, aged 36, who settled in America from Manchester, in 1904
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. William J. Pear (1887-1914), Newfoundlander from St. John's, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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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