Show ContentsProvine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Provine surname is a habitational name, taken on from "the lands of Provan, formerly a possession of the prebendary of Barlanark, one of the canons of Glasgow cathedral. Provand is the vemacular for prebenda. A surname around Glasgow and also surname of a family long connected with Strathblane and Killearn. Richard de Prebenda who was clerk to William the Lion, is probably Richard de Prebenda, charter witness, c. 1190, 1200, and 1231." [1]

Early Origins of the Provine family

The surname Provine was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

"Robert surnamed de Prebenda was elected dean of Dunkeld, 1248 (Chron. Mail., s.a.), Adam de Prebenda was clerk to the king, 1263 (Pap. Lett., I, p. 389), and Robert de Prebenda was bishop of Dunblane, 1258-82. John de Prebenda was burgess of Glasgow, 1428 (LCD., p. 245), and Stephen Provand had a remission for his share in burning the town of Dunbretane, 1489." [1]

Provan Hall (also known as Provanhall, Hall of Provan and 'Hall Mailings') is a historic place composed of two buildings built about the 15th century and situated in Auchinlea Park, Easterhouse, Glasgow. Originally known as "Hall of Provan," it was probably built in the same era as The Provand's Lordship of Glasgow in the same area, now a medieval historic house museum.

Early History of the Provine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Provine research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1258, 1489, 1521, 1549, 1552 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Provine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Provine Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Provan, Provand, Provender, Proven and others.

Early Notables of the Provine family

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

Migration of the Provine family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Thomas Provan who arrived in Philadelphia in 1890; John Provender settled in New England in 1663.


Contemporary Notables of the name Provine (post 1700) +

  • William B. Provine (1942-2015), American historian of science and of evolutionary biology and population genetics
  • Dorothy Michelle Provine (1935-2010), American singer, dancer, actress, and comedienne
  • William H. Provine, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1912 [2]
  • Walter M. Provine, American Republican politician, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Illinois, 1926-31; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1928, 1952 [2]


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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