| ![Show Contents]() Pelkey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PelkeyWhat does the name Pelkey mean? The ancestors of the Pelkey surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in Pilkington, a manor in the parish of Prestwick, Lancashire. There seems to be two early distinct entries of the various derivations of the name: William Pylk who was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1303; Peter Pylke who was listed in the Sussex Rolls of 1332 and from these an early Old English entry of Pileca which while being unrecorded was nevertheless found in Pilkington Lancashire. The other distinct origin included Alexander de Pilkington de Pilkington in 1205; and John Pylkyngton in 1470. Both origins point to the aforementioned town in Lancashire. 1 Early Origins of the Pelkey familyThe surname Pelkey was first found in Lancashire at Pilkington, a township in the parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham, hundred of Salford. This distinguished Saxon family held a family seat in Lancashire since before the Norman invasion, traditionally escaping after the Battle of Hastings by posing as a thresher and hiding in a barn under hay and the flail hit first on one side and then the other, hence their motto 'Now thus, now thus' and the Family Crest of a mower." 2 However, Shirley presumes that "the more probable scene of this event, where four knights of the family were in arms on the part of Richard III [at the Battle of Bosworth.]" Shirley continues, "A right ancient family, gentlemen of repute in the county before the Conquest." 3 Another source phrases the early family history similarly: "A branch of the Pilkington family early became the principal proprietors, and few families in the county are more closely interwoven with its history than the members of this knightly house. The battle of Bosworth-Field proved almost as fatal to the fortunes of the parent stock of the Pilkingtons, as to the power of the royal tyrant Richard: and in the grant made by Henry VII. under the great seal, to Thomas, Earl of Derby, of divers manors and lands in Lancashire, forfeited by Sir Thomas Pilkington, was this manor. " 4 The ecclesiastical district of Stand in Lancashire was home to another ancient branch of the family. "An old Hall of the Pilkington family, generally known as Stand Hall, whence the place derived its name, existed so recently as 1845, when it was taken down: on the foundation stone was the date 1518. This structure was erected by the Earl of Derby, to whom the manor of Pilkington had been granted by Henry VII. after the battle of BosworthField; and the building is traditionally reported to have been five stories high, but reduced many years ago to its late elevation of three stories, the highest of the three being elaborately ornamented by the crests of the earls of Derby, the eagle and child, and the legs of Man." 4 Gilbert Pilkington (fl. 1350) was the reputed author of 'The Tournament of Tottenham,' a burlesque in verse. He is thought to have also written 'The Feest' the perhaps 'The Story of Robin Hood and Little John.' 5 Early History of the Pelkey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pelkey research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1527, 1561, 1562, 1564, 1565, 1568, 1576, 1599, 1631, 1638 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Pelkey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Pelkey Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Pelkey include Pilkington, Pilkinton and others. Early Notables of the Pelkey familyJames Pilkington (1520-1576), Bishop of Durham from 1561 until 1576; Leonard Pilkington (1527-1599) was an English academic and clergyman, Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge (1561-1562), Master of St John's College, Cambridge (1561-1564); Francis Pilkington (c.1565-1638), an English composer, lutenist and singer; and Sir Thomas Pilkington (died 1691)...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pelkey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Pelkey Rankingthe United States, the name Pelkey is the 5,732nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 6 Migration of the Pelkey family to IrelandSome of the Pelkey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Pelkey migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Pelkey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Fred Pelkey, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
- Henry P Pelkey, aged 20, who immigrated to America, in 1910
- Agnes Pelkey, aged 26, who settled in New York City, in 1920
- Henry Pelkey, aged 22, who immigrated to Lynn, Massachusetts in 1921
- Olive Pelkey, aged 30, who immigrated to Cleveland, O., in 1923
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Pelkey migration to Canada | + |
Pelkey Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century- Arthur Pelkey, aged 35, who immigrated to Ford, Ontario, Canada, in 1917
| Contemporary Notables of the name Pelkey (post 1700) | + |
- Michael Pelkey (b. 1940), American skydiver who is considered one of the founders of BASE jumping
- Charles Pelkey, Author and editor of VeloNews.com
- Arthur Pelkey (1884-1921), Canadian early 20th century heavyweight professional boxer from Chatham, Ontario, World White Heavyweight Champion (1913-1914)
- B.J. Pelkey, Australian coach of the Australian Newcastle North Stars
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: Now thus! Now thus!
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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