Perry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Perry is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Perry family lived in Hampshire. Their name, however, is a reference to the Old English word perie, meaning pear tree, and indicates that the original bearer of the name lived near such a landmark.  [1] “A branch came to England [in] 1066, and Matilda de Perer was mother of Hugo Parcarius, who lived temp Henry I.” [2]

Early Origins of the Perry family

The surname Perry was first found in Hampshire where they were originally descended from Norman Perree who was granted lands in Hampshire and recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as a tenant in chief [3], the name also appeared on the Roll of Battell Abbey. [4]

From this earliest record, the family moved throughout Britain. Henry de Peri (de Piri) was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1176 and then in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199. Richard Pirie was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1198 and William de la Purie was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1243. 

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Walter atte-Pyrie in Oxfordshire; Roger de la Peyre in Cambridgeshire; and Richard de la Pirie in Oxfordshire. [1]

By the 16th century, some of the family had moved to Scotland as seen by Donal Pery who was tenant of Uthircloy, Ardmanoch in 1504. [5]

Early History of the Perry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Perry research.

Perry Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people’s names were subsequently modified. Perry has been recorded under many different variations, including Perry, Perrie and others.

Early Notables of the Perry family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry Perry or Parry (1560-1617), Welshscholar, born at Greenfield, Flint, descended from Ednowain Bendew, founder of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales. John Perry (1670-1732), was an English civil engineer and traveller, second son of Samuel Perry of Rodborough, Gloucestershire. In 1693 he superintended the repair of the Montague in Portsmouth harbour. Charles Perry (1698-1780), was an English traveller and medical writer, a younger son of John Perry, a Norwich attorney. Between 1739 and 1742 he travelled in France, Italy, and the East, visiting Constantinople, Egypt and Palestine.

Perry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Perry is the 84^th most popular surname with an estimated 233,778 people with that name. [6] However, in Canada, the name Perry is ranked the 230^thmost popular surname with an estimated 17,476 people with that name. [7] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Perry is the 102^nd popular surname with an estimated 321 people with that name. [8] France ranks Perry as 3,299^th with 2,000 – 2,500 people. [9] Australiaranks Perry as 159^th with 18,849 people. [10] New Zealand ranks Perry as 162^nd with 3,202 people. [11] The United Kingdom ranks Perry as 146^th with 35,406 people. [12]

 Migration of the Perry family to Ireland

Some of the Perry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Perry migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Perrys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 

Perry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Isaac Perry, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Ambrose” as part of the Winthrop Fleet
• Thomas Perry, aged 34, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” coming via St. Domingo
• Mr. Robert Perry, (Percy), aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” coming via St. Domingo [13]
• Mrs. Dorothy Perry, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” coming via St. Domingo [13]
• Mr. Ben Perry, aged 4, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship “Bonaventure” coming via St. Domingo [13]

Perry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Christian Perry, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 [14]
• Eben Perry, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1767 with his wife and two children
• Jack Perry, aged 18, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1775 [14]

Perry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Jane Perry, aged 30, who arrived in America in 1821 [14]
• Howland Perry, aged 4, who landed in Kennebunk, Me in 1830 [14]
• Hugh Perry, aged 6, who arrived in Kennebunk, Me in 1830 [14]
• Bernard Perry, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1831 [14]
• George Perry, who arrived in New York in 1835 [14]

Perry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. Charles Perry, (b. 1883), aged 21, Cornish blacksmith, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Carpathia” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th July 1904 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA [15]
• Mr. Edward Perry, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish railway labourer, from Lelant, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Germanic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd May 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA [15]
• Mr. George Perry, (b. 1881), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship “New York” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA [15]
• Mr. James Perry, (b. 1871), aged 34, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship “New York” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA [15]
• Mr. Thomas Perry, (b. 1876), aged 29, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship “New York” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA [15]

 Perry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Perry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• James Perry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
• Henry Perry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Ebenezer Perry, who landed in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
• Mr. Samuel Perry Jr., U.E. born in Sandwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA from Parmintown, USA who arrived at Sorel [Sorel-Tracy], Quebec c. 1781, then resettled in 1784 New Carlisle, Paspebiac, Baie des Chaleurs, Gaspe, Quebec he enlisted in 1777 serving in Jessup’s Rangers with Kings Loyal Americans Regiment [16]
• Mr. John Perry U.E. who arrived in Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783, then relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick was passenger number 35 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA, he died in 1803 [16]

Perry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Perry, who landed in Canada in 1833
• Samuel Perry, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Perseus” in 1834
• Elder Perry, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Perseus” in 1834
• Mr. Charles Perry, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Wakefield” departing from the port of Wakefield, Cork but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [17]
• Mr. William Perry who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle on 10th July 1847 [17]

 Perry migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Perry Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mr. Edward Perry, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia