Prew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Prew

What does the name Prew mean?

The ancient name Prew is a Norman name that would have been developed in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. This name was a name given to a proud, haughty, or brave being derived from the Old French word prous.

Early Origins of the Prew family

The surname Prew was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. However, some remained in Normandy as Drogon Prose was listed there in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1195.) 1

Early History of the Prew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prew research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1608 is included under the topic Early Prew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prew Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Prew were recorded, including Prouse, Prouze, Prowse, Prowze, Prouz, Prowes and others.

Early Notables of the Prew family

More information is included under the topic Early Prew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prew 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:

Prew Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Simoen Prew, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888

Sources +

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)