Peters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Etymology of Peters

What does the name Peters mean?

The earliest origins of the Peters surname lie with the name of an ancestor. The name is derived from the personal name Peter. This is derived from the Latin name Petrus, which in turn comes from the Greek name Petros. The word "petros" means "rock" or "stone." Peter was an extremely popular personal name in medieval Europe since it was the name conferred by Christ upon the apostle Simon bar Jonah. He became St. Peter and is regarded as the founding figure of the Christian Church.

One of the first records of the name was perhaps the most important, that of Peter (died 1085), Bishop of Lichfield, Chaplain of William I, and custodian of the see of Lincoln in 1066. "In 1076 Peter was sent by Lanfranc to assist the archbishop of York in certain consecrations (Anglo-Saxon Chronicles) In 1085 he died, and was buried at Chester, being the only bishop of the earlier foundation who was buried there." 1

Peter of Blois (fl. 1190) was Archdeacon of Bath and a noted author. He was born at Blois, France but his family was one of the noble families of Brittany.

Early Origins of the Peters family

The surname Peters was first found in Lincolnshire, where a bearer of Petrus was on record in the Domesday Book of 1086. Interestingly, Petrus (died 606) was the first abbot of St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, and was both a monk and a priest. He was one of the companions of St. Augustine on his mission to England in 596. 1

Geoffrey FitzPeter, Earl of Essex (d. 1213), younger brother of Simon Fitzpeter, Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire in the reign of Henry II, was Marshal in 1165, and Justice-Itinerant in Bedfordshire in 1163. 1

Peter des Roches (died 1238) was Bishop of Winchester who served under Richard I in his wars as knight and clerk, and became one of his chamberlains. A native of Poitou, France, he later served King John and was embroiled in the king's conflicts with Innocent III. 1

Other early records include Ralph Peter listed in the Pipe Rolls in Hertfordshire in 1195; Luke Petre listed in London in 1282 and a William Petres listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset of 1327. 2

Another branch of the family was established in early days at West Horndon in Essex. "This parish, in ancient documents called Thorndon, and Little Horndon, is remarkable for the splendid mansion of Lord Petre, named Thorndon Hall, which is beautifully situated on an eminence, surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded park." 3

And early records of Padstow, Cornwall listed "the barton of Trenear or Trenarran, was for some time a seat of the family of Peter, whose ancestors, about two hundred years since, came into Cornwall and first settled here; from whence they afterwards removed to Treator; and from thence the elder branch settled at Harlyn, on marrying with the heiress of Michel of that place. Treator has been the abode of this family nearly from the time that they first settled in Cornwall." 4

"In later years Tor Brian [Devon] became the cradle of the noble house of Petre. Tor Newton was the birthplace of the celebrated Sir William Petre, the most eminent of a distinguished band of brothers. First brought to Court by Cromwell, he speedily became a favourite with Henry VIII., and was one of the visitors of the religious houses. The wealth thus acquired he had wit enough to keep, obtaining under Mary, from Pope Paul IV., a confirmation of the grants of Church property made by Henry. One of the means used to this end was the promise to employ the money in a way the Church would approve ; and one of the ways adopted by him was the foundation of eight fellowships at Exeter College." 5

Early History of the Peters family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Peters research. Another 205 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1505, 1549, 1572, 1575, 1582, 1592, 1594, 1598, 1599, 1602, 1603, 1613, 1617, 1622, 1626, 1631, 1633, 1637, 1638, 1643, 1645, 1654, 1660, 1662, 1672, 1677, 1684, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1695, 1699, 1706, 1713, 1746, 1758, 1774 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Peters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peters Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Peters, Peter, Petre, Petry, FitzPeter and others.

Early Notables of the Peters family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Petre, 1st Baron Petre (1549-1613), Lord-Lieutenant of Essex; Gerard Peeters (fl. 1582-1592), an English author, educated at Westminster School, elected scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge; Hug...
Charles Peters (1695-1746), was an English physician from London; Charles Peters (1690-1774), was a Hebrew scholar, born at Tregony, Cornwall, Hugh Peters of Peter (1598-1660) was an English independe...
Benjamin Petre (1672-1758) was a Roman Catholic prelate, son of John Petre (1617-1690) of Fidlers or Fithlers, Essex and Edward Petre (1631-1699), known as Father Petre or Peters, was confessor of Jam...

Peters World Ranking

In the United States, the name Peters is the 197^th most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Peters is ranked the 100^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,705 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Peters is the 708^th popular surname with an estimated 61 people with that name. 8 France ranks Peters as 6,088^th with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 9 Australia ranks Peters as 174^th with 17,954 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Peters as 172^nd with 3,101 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Peters as 323^rd with 19,145 people. 12 Netherlands ranks Peters as 15^th with 33,006 people. 13 South Africa ranks Peters as 457^th with 15,524 people. 14

Migration of the Peters family to Ireland

Some of the Peters family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Peters migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Peters Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Miss Anne Pettit Peters who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 15
Edmond Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 16
Andrew Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 16
Augustine Peters, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 16
Ann Peters, who landed in Maryland in 1679 16

Peters Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Frans Henrig Peters, who landed in New York in 1709 16
Charles Peters, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 16
David Peters, who settled in Georgia with his wife Eleanor and four children in 1733
Arnold Peters, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1772 16

Peters Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christjan Heinrich Peters, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 16
Benjamin L Peters, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1812 16
Ernst Heinr Peters, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1836 16
Cath Elis Peters, who landed in America in 1840 16
Anton Jos Peters, who landed in America in 1843 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Samuel Peters, (b. 1843), aged 59, Cornish farmer, from Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 30th January 1902 en route to Duluth, Minnesota, USA 17
Mr. Walter Peters, (b. 1853), aged 50, Cornish blacksmith travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1903 en route to Los Angeles, California, USA 17
Mr. William Peters, (b. 1865), aged 38, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st May 1903 en route to Leadville, Colorado, USA 17
Mr. William Peters, (b. 1885), aged 20, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th July 1905 en route to Painesdale, Michigan, USA 17
Mr. Samuel Peters, (b. 1865), aged 40, American quarryman returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to East Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Peters Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Samuel Peters U.E. (b. 1712) who arrived in New Brunswick c. 1783 was transported aboard the ship "Mercury" married with 1 child, he died in 1788 18
Mr. Thomas Peters U.E. (b. 1749) from Dutchess County, New York, USA who settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Susannah having 6 children, he died in 1813 18
Mr. William Peters U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1835 in Woodstock, New Brunswick 18
Mr. William Peters U.E. who settled in Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1805 18
Mr. Andrew Peters U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Philip Peters, aged 1 year & 6 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Araminta" departing from the port of Araminta, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 19
Franz Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
Aaron Peters, who landed in Manitoba in 1875
Agatha Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
Claus Peters, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters migration to Australia +

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

Peters Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Peters, British convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. George Peters, (Pearcey), British convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 21
Mr. Thomas Peters, English convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 22
Robert Peters, a chair-maker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. James Peters who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 24th March 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 23
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peters migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Peters Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
Harriet Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
Martha Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
Hannah Peters, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alma" in 1857
Mr. George Peters, (b. 1837), aged 21, British collar maker travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 24
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Peters (post 1700) +

Jane Alice Peters (1908-1942), birth name of Carole Lombard, American actress and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Richard Devin "Ricky" Peters (1955-2025), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Detroit Tigers (1979-1981) and Oakland Athletics (1983, 1986)
Douglas J. J. Peters (1963-2023), American politician, Majority Leader of the Maryland Senate (2016-2019)
Eric Lingfeng Peters (b. 1997), Canadian recurve archer. He won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games, he won silver medal in 2023 World Archery Championships
Julie Anne Peters (1952-2023), American author of young adult fiction who published 20 works, mostly novels, geared toward children and adolescents
Gary Charles Peters (1937-2023), American Major League Baseball pitcher from Grove City, Pennsylvania who played on two major league teams for 14 seasons, from 1959 through 1972
Marybeth Peters (1939-2022), American attorney, 11th United States Register of Copyrights (1994-2010)
Carol Ann Peters Duncan (1932-2022), American gold and two-time bronze medalist figure skater who competed in ice dancing
Fred Peters (1923-2018), American animator and comics artist from Oklahoma, known for his work with Disney on numerous Pluto cartoons
Nick Anthony Peters (1939-2015), American baseball writer, known for his coverage of the San Francisco Giants, recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award (2009)
... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Peters family +

Bismarck

Walter Peters (1919-1941), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 25
Otto Peters (b. 1919), German Maschinenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck (1941) during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 25

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Maxwell Wesley Peters (1920-1941), Australian Telegraphist from Mallala, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 26

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Henry Peters, British Electrical, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 27

HMS Repulse

Mr. Alfred Peters, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 28
Mr. Richard Edwin Peters, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 28

HMS Royal Oak

George Peters (1922-1939), born in Sandown, Isle of Wight, England, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 29
Edward Robertson Peters (1907-1939), born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, British Petty Officer Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 29

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Chapman Peters, aged 26, English Able Seaman from Woolston, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 9 30
Miss Catherine "Katie" Peters (d. 1912), aged 26, Irish Third Class passenger from Cahir, Tipperary who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 30

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Charles Peters (b. 1891), Welsh coal miner from Cardiff, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 31
Mr. John Lot Peters (b. 1886), Welsh coal miner from Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died 31

SS Atlantic

J. A. Peters, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

USS Indianapolis

Earl Jack Peters, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 32

The Peters Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Invidia major
Motto Translation: Superior to envy.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
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
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 26th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Universal Colliery Senghenydd 1913 disaster retrieved 21st September 2019, retrieved from http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/deathrolls/SenghenyddDead1913.htm
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew