Show ContentsProoze History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Prooze

What does the name Prooze mean?

The Prooze family has descended through the lines of the ancient Normans that came to England following their Conquest of England in 1066. The Prooze name reveals that an early member was a proud, haughty, or brave being derived from the Old French word prous.

Early Origins of the Prooze family

The surname Prooze 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 Prooze family

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

Prooze Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Prooze family name include Prouse, Prouze, Prowse, Prowze, Prouz, Prowes and others.

Early Notables of the Prooze family

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

Migration of the Prooze family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Prooze family to immigrate North America: 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..



  1. 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)


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