Pace Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Pace Origin:

France, England

Origins of Name:

The surname of Pace has variations in the spelling, and variations in the possible origins. The first possible origin of this surname of pace is as a medieval nickname for someone who is said to be mild or even tempered. This nickname is derived from the Anglo-Norman word “pace or “pece” which is also a French and Middle English word. It comes from the Latin words “pax” or “pacis” which is interpreted to mean peace, amnity or concord. It is also possible that this nickname was created out of jest, or sarcasm—which the medieval people were known for. Another possible origin of the Pace surname comes from the personal names of “Paske” or “Pask” or “Pash,” together, all of which were used to describe someone who was born on or around the holiday of Easter, or near another religious festival. This was used as both a personal name and a nickname in medieval England.

Variations:

More common variations are:

Paise, Payce, Pauce, Pacea, Piace, Paceh, Pacei, Pasce, Peace, Pase, Paycie, Paice, Peace, Pacey

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Pace was written in the “Register of the Freemen of Leicester” in the year 1219, and was noted as one John Pais, under the reign of King Henry III, who was known as “The Frenchman” and ruled from the year 1216 to the year 1272. In England, those who bear the surname of Pace are found in Warwickshire and Yorkshire, and are also at high concentrations in the areas of Durham, Staffordshire, and the city of London. Early recordings of the surname of Pace are in the 1275 Hundred Rolls of Norfolk as a man named Roger Pays, in the 1242 Devonshire “Book of Fees” as a man named William Pace, and another one Peter Pece from Yorkshire recorded in the “Book of Fees” in the year 1302.

Italy:

Those who carry the surname of Pace are found across the country of Italy. They are concentrated in the areas of Pratola Peligna in L’Aquila, Abruzzo in Central Italy, as well as Malta and Sicily.

Scotland:

In Scotland, those with the surname of Pace are found in Angus, Midlothian, and East Lothian

United States:

In the 17th Century, European citizens began to emigrate to the United States in search of a new life. During this European Migration, the first recorded person to reach the United States whose surname was Pace was a man named Richard Pace, who arrived in America around the year 1625, and was an early settler and Ancient Planter of Colonial Jamestown, Virginia. Soon after, in the year 1628, Isabella Pace arrived in Virginia, and ten years later, in the year 1638, Henry Pace also arrived in Virginia. In the year 1669, Antho Pace settled in Virginia. In the United States, those with the surname of Pace are more commonly found in the states of New York, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky.

Australia:

In the 19th Century, it was commonplace for Europeans to migrate to both Australia and New Zealand. The first settlers recorded to arrive in Australia that bore the surname of Pace were John Henry Pace and Elizabeth Stevens Pace, who both arrived in Adelaide, Australia in the year 1842, and they both were passengers aboard the ship named the “Taglioni.”

Pace Today:

United States 47,247

Italy 23,828

Brazil 7,059

Argentina 4,987

Malta 4,601

England 3,275

France 2,731

Australia 2,542

Canada 2,091

South Africa 1,479

Notable People:

Scot Norman Pace (born in 1959) who is currently working at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University as the Director of the Space Policy Institute at the

Nick Pace (born in 1987) who competes in the bantamweight division in professional mixed martial arts

Lee Grinner Pace (born in 1979) who was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and has even won a Golden Globe as well. He is known for his roles in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and The Fall (2006)

Frank Pace Jr. (1912-1988) who was the 3rd United States Secretary of the Army from 1950 to 1953

Calvin Lamar Pace (born in 1985) who is an outside linebacker for the New York Jets

Jim Pace (born in 1961) who is a race driver from America

Glenn Leroy Pace (born in 1985) who has been the general authority of The Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints since the year 1985

Stephen Pace (1918-2010) who was an Abstract expressionist painter, and the Stephen S. Pace Gallery was named after him

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Ingleton). Purp. three bezants.
2) Or, on a cross quarterly az. and gu. a bird betw. a lion pass. in chief, two squirrels sejant in fess, and an annulet in base, all of the first. Crest—A boar’s head couped and erect sa. eared or, charged with an anchor of the last.
3) Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three gillyflowers ppr.