Proser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales

Etymology of Proser

What does the name Proser mean?

The Welsh name Proser is a patronymic surname created from the Welsh personal name Rosser, which also took the form Rhosier. The surname Proser was originally ap-Rosser or ap-Rhosier: the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ab" or "ap," means "son of," but the prefix has been assimilated into the surname over the course of time. There has also been suggestion that the name is a Welsh transformation of the Gaelic name "Mac Ruaidhri."

Early Origins of the Proser family

The surname Proser was first found in Herefordshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. The form Rosser was found in Chancery, where a Morres Rosser was recorded in Wales in 1100, in the "Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery" published during the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century.

Early History of the Proser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Proser research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Proser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Proser Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Proser have included Prosser, Prousser, Proser, Prouser, Prossar, Rosser, Roser, Rossear and many more.

Early Notables of the Proser family

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

Proser migration to Canada +

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Proser:

Proser Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Benjamin Proser U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John West], New Brunswick, Canada c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1785, was a Yeoman 1

Sources +

Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X