| ![Show Contents]() Purdue History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PurdueWhat does the name Purdue mean? The name Purdue was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a person who was known for their continued use of the oath pour Dieu, which is Old French meaning "for God." This is a subset of the nickname type of name known as oath names. 1 Early Origins of the Purdue familyThe surname Purdue was first found in Bedfordshire where Gilbert Purdeu was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1227. Later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 included an entry for John Purde in Cheshire and the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex had two entries for the family: John Purdew in 1296; and John Purde in 1332. These entries may be the same person, or father and son. In Norfolk, John Purdy was listed there in 1436 as was Robert Purdu in 1479. 1 The same source found Richard Parde in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1228; Robert Pardey in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296; and Henry Pardeu in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 1 Further to the north in Scotland, "John Purdie was one of an inquest in 1296 which found that Robert de Pinkeny held the tenement of Balincref, and David Perdy was a tenant of the earl of Douglas in Linton, 1376. A later David Purde, succentor of Glasgow, 1476-1477, appears again in 1491 as Prade, and in the title of his obituary in 1497 his name is given as Prowde." 2 Early History of the Purdue familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Purdue research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1525, 1569, 1585, 1743, 1754, 1764, 1770, 1776, 1779, 1783, 1814, 1820, 1823, 1858, 1880 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Purdue History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Purdue Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Purdue include Pardy, Pardie, Pardee, Purdie, Purdew, Purdy, Purdoe, Pardoe and many more. Early Notables of the Purdue familyNotables of the family at this time include Thomas Pardoe (1770-1823), English enameler who was noted for flower painting from Derby. Alexander Purdie (c. 1743- 1779), born in Scotland, emigrated to America by 1764. He became a prominent colonial American printer, publisher, and merchant in Williamsburg, Virginia where he...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Purdue Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Purdue RankingIn the United States, the name Purdue is the 13,950th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3 Migration of the Purdue family to IrelandSome of the Purdue family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Purdue migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Purdue Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Simon Purdue, who settled in Virginia in 1663
Purdue Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Edward Purdue, who settled in Newcastle in 1789
| Contemporary Notables of the name Purdue (post 1700) | + |
- John Purdue (1802-1876), American industrialist, original benefactor of Purdue University
- John Purdue (1910-1985), New Zealand cricketer who played two first-class matches for Otago (1938-1939)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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