Prien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Prien

What does the name Prien mean?

There is a debate as the the origin of this family. One source claims the name is a nickname, as in "Pryne, chief, first." 1 Another source agrees, stating the name was derived from the Old French word "prin", (Latin primus) ‘first, superior; small, slender’. 2

Another source claims the family originated in Cornwall and "were formerly called Resprynn, and they are supposed to have originated from Resprynn, an estate in the parish of Lanhydrock." 3

Early Origins of the Prien family

The surname Prien was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The family name was first referenced in the year 1275 when Matilda Pryn held estates in that shire. In the same year, William Prin was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire and later, Nicholas Prinne was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 2

Revisiting the aforementioned Cornish origin, another branch of the family was found in Bodrean, Cornwall as "the seat of Henry Prynn Andrew, Esq. was acquired by his alliance with the family of Prynn." 4

Early History of the Prien family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prien research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1043, 1327, 1455, 1487, 1600, 1648 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Prien History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prien Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Prin, Prinn, Pryn, Prynn, Prynne and others.

Early Notables of the Prien family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Prien Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prien migration to Canada +

Prien Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

H C Prien, who arrived in Quebec in 1850

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print