Perre
Perre Surname Ancestry Information
Perre is originally a Norman name from the area that is now France that was then part of Normandy. Normandy was a Viking settlement established in the early 900s. While the Vikings were kept out of England by the Anglo Saxons for most of the 900s, near the beginning of the 10th century they made inroads into the Hampshire area of England.
The Norman Conquest of 1066 saw mass emigration to what is now known as England from Normandy, which at the time would have been geographically placed in Northern France. The Normans were Vikings and thus also had Germanic and English language and cultural influences. The first Perre’s in recorded history are found in Hampshire, Southern England and across the Channel from Northern France. Here the Perre family held a family seat and owned lands granted by Duke William of Normandy for service in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD, as recorded in the Doomesday Book produced by William the 1st of England.
During Danish rule of England the Saxon royal family resided in Normandy and intermarried with the Duke of Normandy’s family, this period precluded the Norman conquest of England. The Normans ruled until the 12th century and a number of Perre’s were members of this ruling class. When rule was lost to the Normans a significant number of Perre’s emigrated to the geographical area that constituted Ireland and here there are recorded names of over 1000 Perry’s (descendants of Perre) concentrated in the areas of Ulster and Down.
The word perie, from which the name is derived, means literally and quite simply – pear tree, in the dialect of French spoken in Normandy in the 1000s. The first Perre probably lived near a pear tree. The name Perre evolved into several modern versions including Perry and Perrie which are common names around the world. The alteration of names is a common occurrence particularly with European names that became anglicized in the New World.
The next notable historical record of the Perre family name, Norman Perree, is a record of the family name in 1086 as a tenant in chief. The Perre name is also recorded on the Roll of Battell Abbey. It appears that the Perre family name then branched off to the Gloucestershire and Devon regions of England where they had a family seat at Walter. Records suggest they were also landowners in Cornwall, Worcestershire, and Buckinghamshire. In Warwickshire their seat was at Bitham House.
Known Perre family ancestors are Matthew Perry and Oliver Hazard Perry, American Naval Commanders. Thomas Perry who settled in Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth and Edward Perry settled in Virginia in 1637; Eben Perry settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767 with his wife and two children; Henry and George Perry settled in Boston in 1651; Isaac Perry settled in Salem in 1631.
Contemporary notables bearing the surname, Perre, include Aylesworth Perry, longest-serving Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Charles Perry, New Zealand Librarian; Frank Perry, Film Director; Kenneth Perry, British Physician; Samuel Perry, Biochemist; Sir Walter Perry, Physician; Chris Perry, English footballer; Edward A Perry, American politician, Governor of Florida; James Richard Perry, American politician, Governor of Texas; Antionette Perry, American actress & director, founder of the Tony Awards; William James Perry (b.1927) U.S. Secretary of Defense (1994–97); Fred Perry (b.1933) tennis player; Oliver Perry (1785-
1819) American military leader; Bill Perry, American musician; and Fred Perry (b.1909) American tennis player.
The Perre coat of arms depicts a shield divided quarterly, red and gold, with three blue lions passant on a silver bend.
The Perre crest is a hind’s head erased, holding in its mouth a pear tree sprig.
The ancient family motto for the Perre name is Recte agens confido, translated into English,
While acting uprightly I am confident.