Contents [hide]

Preece History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Preece History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales

Etymology of Preece

What does the name Preece mean?

The origins of the Welsh name Preece go back to those ancient Celts known as the Britons that once occupied the hills and Moors of Wales. This old Welsh surname is from the Welsh personal name Rhys, which also took the forms Rice and Rees. 1 2 This name was originally derived from the Old Welsh forename Ris, which means ardour. 2

Early Origins of the Preece family

The surname Preece was first found in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin), located in Southwest Wales, one of thirteen historic counties and presently one of the principal area in Wales. Sir Elidir Dhu who flourished temp. Richard I., was the direct descendant of the family of Rees of Killymaenllwyd, county Carmarthen. 3

The name Rees appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Cheshire 4 and later as a forename, Resus filius Griffini was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1178. Griffinus filius Res, or Ris was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Shropshire and Gloucestershire in 1198. In Lincolnshire, William Res was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1203 and later, John Rees was listed in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1288. Later again, Walter Rys was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327. 5

"In 1115, Grufydd ab Rhys, Prince of South Wales, took sanctuary in the church of Aberdaron, from the treachery of Grufydd ab Cynan, sovereign of North Wales, who intended to deliver him into the hands of the English monarch, Henry I. The young prince escaped with his partisans by night, and set forward on his journey to the deep forest of Strath Towy, in South Wales, where, having collected the adherents of his family, he commenced hostilities against the Norman and Flemish settlers. " 6

Later Cheshire, England became a stronghold for the family as the Wills at Chester listed: Thomas ap-Reese, 1606; Thomas Rees, of Tybroughton, 1647; and Giles Reece, coinmaker, of Chester. 1

Early History of the Preece family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Preece research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1601, 1606, 1607, 1615, 1616, 1624 and 1647 are included under the topic Early Preece History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Preece Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Preece has seen various spelling variations: Rees, Reece, Rhys, Ap Rhys and others.

Early Notables of the Preece family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Edmund Prys (c. 1541-1624), Welsh translator of the psalms into Welsh verse, son of Sion (John) ap Rhys of Tyddyn Du in the parish of Maen Twrog, Merionethshire. Prys was a skilful composer in the strict Welsh metres, and took an active part in the bardic life of his time. 7Lewys Dwnn or more properly Lewys ap Rhys ap Owain (d. 1616?), was "Deputy-Herald for Wales, derived his accepted surname from...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Preece Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Preece Ranking

In the United States, the name Preece is the 5,183^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 8 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Preece is ranked the 796^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,504 people with that name. 9

Preece migration to the United States +

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Preece:

Preece Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Preece, who landed in Maryland in 1845 10
Arthur Preece, aged 19, who landed in America from Malvern, in 1898
Joseph Preece, aged 32, who landed in America from Coventry, in 1898
Anne Preece, aged 54, who settled in America from Salop, in 1899

Preece Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Frank Preece, aged 34, who landed in America from Liverpool, England, in 1902
Frederick Preece, aged 26, who immigrated to America from Birmingham, in 1903
Edgar Preece, aged 20, who landed in America from Lemington, in 1904
Arthur Preece, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Tipton, in 1904
Clarice Preece, aged 5, who settled in America from Stoke-on-Trent, in 1904
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Preece migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Preece Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Alice Preece, aged 31, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1912

Preece migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Preece Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Humphrey Preece, (Priest), (b. 1752), aged 63, English stone mason who was convicted in Herefordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1827 11
Mr. William Preece, English farm labourer who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Mr. George Preece, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Thomas Preece, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. Thomas Preece, English convict who was convicted in Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Preece 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:

Preece Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Preece, (b. 1840), aged 16, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Isabella Hercus" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 4th January 1856 16
Mr. Thomas Preece, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Worsley" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th October 1858 16
Mrs. Hannah Preece, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Worsley" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th October 1858 16
Mr. Albert Preece, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1858 16
Mr. William Preece, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Preece (post 1700) +

Michael Preece (1936-2025), American film and television director, script supervisor, producer, and actor best known for directing the television series Dallas and Walker, Texas Ranger and the films The Prize Fighter and Logan's War: Bound by Honor
Ryan Jeffrey Preece (b. 1990), American professional stock car racing driver who is currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing
Warren Eversleigh Preece (1921-2007), American editor of Encyclopædia Britannica (1964 to 1975)
Steven Packer "Steve" Preece (b. 1947), former American professional football player
Trevor Preece (1882-1965), Welsh cricketer
Sir William Henry Preece (1834-1913), Welsh electrical engineer and inventor
Ian Preece (b. 1982), Welsh professional snooker player
Greg Preece (b. 1972), Canadian writer, comic, and actor
Henry Preece (1867-1937), English cricketer
Helen Preece (b. 1897), British Olympic equestrian
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Preece family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Preece, British Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 17

HMS Repulse

Mr. John W Preece, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18

The Preece 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: Spes melioris aevi
Motto Translation: The hope of a better age.

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)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales. Institute of Historical Research, 1849, 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/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html