Show ContentsPeters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Peters Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Peters

What does the name Peters mean?

The earliest origins of the Peters surname lie with the name of an ancestor. The name is derived from the personal name Peter. This is derived from the Latin name Petrus, which in turn comes from the Greek name Petros. The word "petros" means "rock" or "stone." Peter was an extremely popular personal name in medieval Europe since it was the name conferred by Christ upon the apostle Simon bar Jonah. He became St. Peter and is regarded as the founding figure of the Christian Church.

One of the first records of the name was perhaps the most important, that of Peter (died 1085), Bishop of Lichfield, Chaplain of William I, and custodian of the see of Lincoln in 1066. "In 1076 Peter was sent by Lanfranc to assist the archbishop of York in certain consecrations (Anglo-Saxon Chronicles) In 1085 he died, and was buried at Chester, being the only bishop of the earlier foundation who was buried there." 1

Peter of Blois (fl. 1190) was Archdeacon of Bath and a noted author. He was born at Blois, France but his family was one of the noble families of Brittany.

Early Origins of the Peters family

The surname Peters was first found in Lincolnshire, where a bearer of Petrus was on record in the Domesday Book of 1086. Interestingly, Petrus (died 606) was the first abbot of St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, and was both a monk and a priest. He was one of the companions of St. Augustine on his mission to England in 596. 1

Geoffrey FitzPeter, Earl of Essex (d. 1213), younger brother of Simon Fitzpeter, Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire in the reign of Henry II, was Marshal in 1165, and Justice-Itinerant in Bedfordshire in 1163. 1

Peter des Roches (died 1238) was Bishop of Winchester who served under Richard I in his wars as knight and clerk, and became one of his chamberlains. A native of Poitou, France, he later served King John and was embroiled in the king's conflicts with Innocent III. 1

Other early records include Ralph Peter listed in the Pipe Rolls in Hertfordshire in 1195; Luke Petre listed in London in 1282 and a William Petres listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset of 1327. 2

Another branch of the family was established in early days at West Horndon in Essex. "This parish, in ancient documents called Thorndon, and Little Horndon, is remarkable for the splendid mansion of Lord Petre, named Thorndon Hall, which is beautifully situated on an eminence, surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded park." 3

And early records of Padstow, Cornwall listed "the barton of Trenear or Trenarran, was for some time a seat of the family of Peter, whose ancestors, about two hundred years since, came into Cornwall and first settled here; from whence they afterwards removed to Treator; and from thence the elder branch settled at Harlyn, on marrying with the heiress of Michel of that place. Treator has been the abode of this family nearly from the time that they first settled in Cornwall." 4

"In later years Tor Brian [Devon] became the cradle of the noble house of Petre. Tor Newton was the birthplace of the celebrated Sir William Petre, the most eminent of a distinguished band of brothers. First brought to Court by Cromwell, he speedily became a favourite with Henry VIII., and was one of the visitors of the religious houses. The wealth thus acquired he had wit enough to keep, obtaining under Mary, from Pope Paul IV., a confirmation of the grants of Church property made by Henry. One of the means used to this end was the promise to employ the money in a way the Church would approve ; and one of the ways adopted by him was the foundation of eight fellowships at Exeter College." 5

Early History of the Peters family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Peters research. Another 205 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1505, 1549, 1572, 1575, 1582, 1592, 1594, 1598, 1599, 1602, 1603, 1613, 1617, 1622, 1626, 1631, 1633, 1637, 1638, 1643, 1645, 1654, 1660, 1662, 1672, 1677, 1684, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1695, 1699, 1706, 1713, 1746, 1758, 1774 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Peters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peters Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Peters, Peter, Petre, Petry, FitzPeter and others.

Early Notables of the Peters family

  • John Petre, 1st Baron Petre (1549-1613), Lord-Lieutenant of Essex; Gerard Peeters (fl. 1582-1592), an English author, educated at Westminster School, elected scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge; Hug...
  • Charles Peters (1695-1746), was an English physician from London; Charles Peters (1690-1774), was a Hebrew scholar, born at Tregony, Cornwall, Hugh Peters of Peter (1598-1660) was an English independe...
  • Benjamin Petre (1672-1758) was a Roman Catholic prelate, son of John Petre (1617-1690) of Fidlers or Fithlers, Essex and Edward Petre (1631-1699), known as Father Petre or Peters, was confessor of Jam...

Peters World Ranking

the United States, the name Peters is the 197th most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Peters is ranked the 100th most popular surname with an estimated 27,705 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Peters is the 708th popular surname with an estimated 61 people with that name. 8 France ranks Peters as 6,088th with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 9 Australia ranks Peters as 174th with 17,954 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Peters as 172nd with 3,101 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Peters as 323rd with 19,145 people. 12 Netherlands ranks Peters as 15th with 33,006 people. 13 South Africa ranks Peters as 457th with 15,524 people. 14

Migration of the Peters family to Ireland

Some of the Peters family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peters migration to the United States +



Peters Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Miss Anne Pettit Peters who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 16
  • Edmond Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 17
  • Andrew Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 17
  • Augustine Peters, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 17
  • Ann Peters, who landed in Maryland in 1679 17
Peters Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Frans Henrig Peters, who landed in New York in 1709 17
  • Charles Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 17
  • David Peters, who settled in Georgia with his wife Eleanor and four children in 1733
  • Arnold Peters, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1772 17
Peters Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Christjan Heinrich Peters, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 17
  • Benjamin L Peters, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1812 17
  • Ernst Heinr Peters, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1836 17
  • Cath Elis Peters, who landed in America in 1840 17
  • Anton Jos Peters, who landed in America in 1843 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Peters Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Peters, (b. 1843), aged 59, Cornish farmer, from Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 30th January 1902 en route to Duluth, Minnesota, USA 18
  • Mr. Walter Peters, (b. 1853), aged 50, Cornish blacksmith travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1903 en route to Los Angeles, California, USA 18
  • Mr. William Peters, (b. 1865), aged 38, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st May 1903 en route to Leadville, Colorado, USA 18
  • Mr. William Peters, (b. 1885), aged 20, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th July 1905 en route to Painesdale, Michigan, USA 18
  • Mr. Samuel Peters, (b. 1865), aged 40, American quarryman returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to East Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters migration to Canada +

Peters Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Peters U.E. (b. 1712) who arrived in New Brunswick c. 1783 was transported aboard the ship "Mercury" married with 1 child, he died in 1788 19
  • Mr. Thomas Peters U.E. (b. 1749) from Dutchess County, New York, USA who settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Susannah having 6 children, he died in 1813 19
  • Mr. Andrew Peters U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 19
  • Mr. William Peters U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1835 in Woodstock, New Brunswick 19
  • Mr. William Peters U.E. who settled in Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1805 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Peters Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Philip Peters, aged 1 year & 6 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Araminta" departing from the port of Araminta, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 20
  • Franz Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
  • Agatha Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
  • Claus Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
  • Aaron Peters, who landed in Manitoba in 1875
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. James Peters, British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 15
  • Mr. Thomas Peters, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 16
Second Fleet
Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Peters Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Peters, British convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Mr. George Peters, (Pearcey), British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 22
  • Mr. Thomas Peters, English convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 23
  • Robert Peters, a chair-maker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. William Peters, (b. 1801), aged 27, English farm servant who was convicted in Hounslow, London, England for 14 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1836 24
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters 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:

Peters Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
  • Harriet Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
  • Martha Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
  • Hannah Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
  • Mr. George Peters, (b. 1837), aged 21, British collar maker travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 25
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Peters (post 1700) +

  • Jane Alice Peters (1908-1942), birth name of Carole Lombard, American actress and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Richard Devin "Ricky" Peters (1955-2025), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Detroit Tigers (1979-1981) and Oakland Athletics (1983, 1986)
  • Douglas J. J. Peters (1963-2023), American politician, Majority Leader of the Maryland Senate (2016-2019)
  • Eric Lingfeng Peters (b. 1997), Canadian recurve archer. He won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, he won silver medal in 2023 World Archery Championships
  • Julie Anne Peters (1952-2023), American author of young adult fiction who published 20 works, mostly novels, geared toward children and adolescents
  • Gary Charles Peters (1937-2023), American Major League Baseball pitcher from Grove City, Pennsylvania who played on two major league teams for 14 seasons, from 1959 through 1972
  • Marybeth Peters (1939-2022), American attorney, 11th United States Register of Copyrights (1994-2010)
  • Carol Ann Peters Duncan (1932-2022), American gold and two-time bronze medalist figure skater who competed in ice dancing
  • Fred Peters (1923-2018), American animator and comics artist from Oklahoma, known for his work with Disney on numerous Pluto cartoons
  • ... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bismarck
  • Walter Peters (1919-1941), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 26
  • Otto Peters (b. 1919), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck (1941) during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 27
  • Mr. Maxwell Wesley Peters (1920-1941), Australian Telegraphist from Mallala, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
  • Mr. Henry Peters, British Electrical, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Alfred Peters, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • ... (Another 12 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Peters 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: Invidia major
Motto Translation: Superior to envy.

Suggested Readings for the name Peters +

  • Genealogical Chronology of John Peter Snyder, 1729-1807, and his Wife Mary Catharine Elizabeth (Stentz) Snyder, 1739-1782 and their Descendants by Howard W. Stentz.
  • Some Ancestors and Descendants of John Frederick Peters and his Wife Mary Louise Moses of Hoosick Falls, new York by Dorothy Rudd DuMond.
  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  5. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  14. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  15. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  16. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  17. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  18. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  19. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  20. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  23. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 26th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  24. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  25. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  26. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  27. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  28. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  29. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html

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