Contents [hide]

Percy History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies South Africa

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

Percy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Percy

What does the name Percy mean?

The name Percy reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Percy family lived in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. They claim the same ancestry as Tesson and Marmion in Normandy, both relatively rare names today. One of the oldest records was Ralph Tesson who was found in Anjou in the 10th century. He acquired a barony in Normandy and founded the abbey of Fontenay. From this House, descended the Marmions, of whom William Marmilon on Fontenay (a Tesson estate) was listed. It is generally thought that the Percys probably derive from Ernegis Tesson. 1 "The arms of these families show their common origin." All bear a fesse with the Percys having a fesse indented. 1

Early Origins of the Percy family

The surname Percy was first found in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire where "William de Perci, who with his brother Serlo, assisted in the Conquest of England, appears in the Domesday [Book] as tenant in capite in many counties, especially in those of York and Lincoln.

Perci is the name of a parish and canton near St. Lo, in Normandy, the ancient fief on the family." 2 Sawley in the West Riding of Yorkshire was an early home to the family. "It belonged to a Cistercian abbey in honour of the Blessed Virgin, founded here in 1146, by William de Percy, and the revenue of which, at the Dissolution, was estimated at £221." 3

Thirsk in the North Riding of Yorkshire was home to another branch of the family. "In the reign of Henry VII., during a popular commotion, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and lieutenant of this county, is said to have been put to death here, beneath a very ancient elm-tree, which formerly grew on Elm Green." 3

Again in North Yorkshire, more early records of the family were found in the parish of Lofthouse. "This place, in the Domesday Survey Lochtushum, was granted by the Conqueror to Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, who soon afterwards transferred it to the Percy family, of whom William de Percy, the third Baron, in 1133 founded at Handall, in the parish, a priory for Benedictine nuns." 3

And yet another branch of the family was found in Wressel in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "Wressel Castle was built by Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, who was made prisoner at the battle of Shrewsbury, and afterwards beheaded; this once princely mansion continued to be a seat of the family till the reign of Charles I., when it was dismantled by order of the parliament." 3

Early History of the Percy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Percy research. Another 378 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1341, 1343, 1362, 1364, 1367, 1403, 1408, 1560, 1564, 1586, 1602, 1605, 1631, 1632, 1646, 1667, 1668, 1690 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Percy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Percy Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Percy include Percy, Percie and others.

Early Notables of the Percy family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Henry Percy (1364-1403), commonly known as Sir Harry Hotspur, slain leading the losing side at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403; and Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester, (1343-1403), English medie...
Alan Percy (died 1560), was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, third son of Henry Percy, fourth Earl of Northumberland
Thomas Percy (c.1560-1605), was a member of the Gunpowder Plot. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy, titular King of Mann, was Lord Marshal (1341-1408), descendent of Henry III of...
Henry Percy (1564-1632), 9th Earl of Northumberland, was an English aristocrat, a grandee and one of the wealthiest peers of the court of Elizabeth I. George Percy (1586-1631) was an English explorer...
Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland, 4th Baron Percy, KG (1602-1668), was an English military leader, Elizabeth Percy, was Countess of Northumberland (1646-1690) and British courtier; and Eliz...

Percy Ranking

In the United States, the name Percy is the 5,808^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Percy is ranked the 729^th most popular surname with an estimated 59 people with that name. 5

Percy migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Percys to arrive on North American shores:

Percy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Hon. George Percy, (Percie), (1580-1632), who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 6
Abraham Percy, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 7
George Percy, who landed in Virginia in 1632 7
Edward Percy, who arrived in Virginia in 1633 7
Mr. Robert Percy, (Perry), aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Percy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Percy, who landed in Virginia in 1713 7
Francis Percy, who arrived in Georgia in 1735 7

Percy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Barnd Elliott Percy, aged 26, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 7
Thomas Percy, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 7

Percy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Percy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. James Percy U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
Mr. John Percy U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 8
Mr. John Percy U.E., (Perry) who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 8

Percy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Charles Percy, who landed in Canada in 1841

Percy migration to Australia +

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

Percy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Percy, (b. 1807), aged 34, Irish shepherd from County Monaghan, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 9
Mrs. Catharine Percy, (b. 1809), aged 32, Irish servant from County Monaghan, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 10
Mr. James Percy, (b. 1827), aged 14, Irish settler from County Monaghan, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 11
Miss Catharine Percy, (b. 1829), aged 12, Irish settler from County Monaghan, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 12
Miss Agnes Percy, (b. 1832), aged 9, Irish settler from County Monaghan, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Percy 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:

Percy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Hewlett Percy, aged 40, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Esther Percy, aged 39, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Joseph Henry Percy, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Elizabeth Percy, aged 16, a dressmaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Henry James Percy, aged 7, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Percy migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14

Percy Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Annis Percy, who settled in Barbados in 1635
Annis Percy, aged 24, who landed in Barbados in 1635 7
MissAnnis Percy, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 15

Contemporary Notables of the name Percy (post 1700) +

Hugh Earl Percy (1742-1817), Duke of Northumberland and Brigadier General in the Battle of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolutionary War
Charles Harting "Chuck" Percy (b. 1919), American Chairman of the Bell & Howell Corporation from 1949 to 1964 and United States Senator from Illinois from 1967 to 1985
William Alexander Percy (1885-1942), American poet and writer
LeRoy Percy (1860-1929), United States Senator from Mississippi from 1910 to 1913
Le Roy Percy (1860-1929), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Mississippi, 1892; U.S. Senator from Mississippi, 1910-13 16
John A. Percy, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1924 16
George R. Percy, American politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates from Dorchester County, 1906 16
George Percy, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Monroe, Michigan, 1933 16
George Percy, American politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates from Allegany County, 1870 16
Charles Harting Percy (1919-2011), American Republican politician, Candidate for Governor of Illinois, 1964; U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1967-85; Defeated, 1984 16
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Percy family +

Flight TWA 800

Mrs. Marion Percy (1919-1996), from New York, USA, American passenger flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 17

HMS Dorsetshire

James Leslie Percy, British Lieutenant aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 18

HMS Royal Oak

Kenneth Barrington Percy (1922-1939), born in Southampton, 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 19

The Percy 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: Esperance en Dieu
Motto Translation: Hope in God.

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved 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)
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
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=155
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=156
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=157
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=158
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=159
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.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