Petrock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Petrock arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Petrock 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 Petrock family

The surname Petrock 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 Petrock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Petrock 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 Petrock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Petrock Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Petrock are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Petrock include Patrick, Patryck, Partick and others.

Early Notables of the Petrock 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 Petrock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Petrock family to Ireland

Some of the Petrock 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 Petrock family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Petrock, 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 Petrock 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.

Citations +

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)