Pendarvis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Pendarvis family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Pendarvis family originally lived in Cornwall, in the ancient village of Pendarvey.

Early Origins of the Pendarvis family

The surname Pendarvis was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Camborne. Few early records of the family exist and it is not until about the year 1520 that we find Thomas Pendarves seated at Camborne. “Within [the Camborne Church] there are several memorials for the family of Pendarves. There is a bust of Sir William in armour, on the head of which is a flowing peruke.” 1

“At Green Bank, or Dunstanville Terrace, the manor or reputed manor of Penwerris, in which it is situated, this being his lordship’s property. This manor, with several other estates, he inherits from his grandmother, Mary Pendarves, by whose great uncle it had been purchased of the Killigrews, about the year 1660.” 1