Princes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Princes

What does the name Princes mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Princes come from its first bearer, who was a person who acted in a regal manner, or who had won the title of prince in a contest of some sort. Princes is a nickname surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. This surname comes from the Old and Middle French word prince, which means first.

Early Origins of the Princes family

The surname Princes was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Princes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Princes research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1177, 1238, 1327, 1600, 1621, 1643, 1673, 1723, 1788 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Princes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Princes Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Princes has been spelled many different ways, including Prince, Prinse and others.

Early Notables of the Princes family

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Prince (1643-1723), English biographer and vicar of Totnes and Berry Pomeroy in Devon, best known for his work "The Worthies of Devon."Thomas Prence (Prince) (ca.1600-1673), English-born settler to America from Lechlade, Gloucestershire, arriving aboard the ship "Fortune" in 1621, and later became the 4th, 8th & 12th Governor...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Princes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Princes family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Princess to arrive in North America: James Prince, who came to Virginia in 1638; along with Edmund in 1643; Edward in 1635; Edward in 1646; Thomas in 1639; Thomas Prince settled in Plymouth in 1621 a year after the ".