Prewse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The family name Prewse is thought to be of Norman origins. Originally, Prewse was a name given to a proud, haughty, or brave being derived from the Old French word prous.

Early Origins of the Prewse family

The surname Prewse 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 Prewse family

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

Prewse Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Prewse have been found, including Prouse, Prouze, Prowse, Prowze, Prouz, Prowes and others.

Early Notables of the Prewse family

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

Migration of the Prewse family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Prewse were among those contributors: George Prouse who settled in Virginia in 1624; Emblence Prouse settled in Virginia in 1639; Germaine Prouse settled in New York in 1775; John Prowse settled in Virginia in 1639..

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)