Pearey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Pearey is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The Pearey family lived in Hampshire. Their name, however, is a reference to the Old English word perie, meaning pear tree, and indicates that the original bearer of the name lived near such a landmark. ^[1] "A branch came to England [in] 1066, and Matilda de Perer was mother of Hugo Parcarius, who lived temp Henry I." ^[2]

Early Origins of the Pearey family

The surname Pearey was first found in Hampshire where they were originally descended from Norman Perree who was granted lands in Hampshire and recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as a tenant in chief ^[3], the name also appeared on the Roll of Battell Abbey. ^[4]

From this earliest record, the family moved throughout Britain. Henry de Peri (de Piri) was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1176 and then in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199. Richard Pirie was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1198 and William de la Purie was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1243.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Walter atte-Pyrie in Oxfordshire; Roger de la Peyre in Cambridgeshire; and Richard de la Pirie in Oxfordshire. ^[1]

By the 16th century, some of the family had moved to Scotland as seen by Donal Pery who was tenant of Uthircloy, Ardmanoch in 1504. ^[5]

Early History of the Pearey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pearey research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1381, 1392, 1327, 1560, 1617, 1670, 1732, 1693, 1698, 1780, 1739, 1742, 1743, 1742, 1573, 1570, 1635, 1570, 1573, 1608, 1669 and are included under the topic Early Pearey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pearey Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Perry, Perrie and others.

Early Notables of the Pearey family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry Perry or Parry (1560-1617), Welsh scholar, born at Greenfield, Flint, descended from Ednowain Bendew, founder of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales. John Perry (1670-1732), was an English civil engineer and traveller, second son of Samuel Perry of Rodborough, Gloucestershire. In 1693 he superintended the repair of the Montague in Portsmouth harbour. Charles Perry (1698-1780), was an English traveller and medical writer, a younger son of John Perry, a Norwich attorney. Between 1739 and 1742 he travelled in France, Italy, and the East, visiting Constantinople, Egypt, Palestine...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pearey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pearey family to Ireland

Some of the Pearey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pearey family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Pearey name or one of its variants: Thomas Perry who settled in Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth and Edward Perry settled in Virginia in 1637; Eben Perry settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767 with his wife and two children.

The Pearey 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: Recte agens confido
Motto Translation: While acting uprightly I am confident.

Citations +

^ Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
^ 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)
^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
^ Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
^ Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)