Peirce Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Peirce Origin:

England, France

Origins of Peirce:

It is an English surname introduced from the famous and particular name of old resident ‘Peter,’ which in old England more frequently appeared as ‘Piers.’ ‘Peter’ acquires from the Greek word ‘Petros,’ which means ‘rock, hill or slope,’ and was the name used by Jesus to Simon to indicated the confidence of faith. St. Peter was the loveable priest of the old parish, and his name was famous all over the Christendom among the Middle Ages. The style ‘Piers’ is the French one, frequently introduced by the Normans at the period of the invasion in 1066. There are almost sixteen various spellings of the name in the new phrase, from Pierce, Pearce, and Piers, to Peers, Peres and Perse. John Peirce was given a ticket to travel from the Barbados to the American communities in January 1678. He moved aboard the “Judith” under Captain Robert Kingsland. James Peirce (1674-1726) was a disagree religious person who was a presbyterian officer at Newbury from 1703 – 1713.

Variations:

More common variations are: Peircey, Peairce, Peiarce, Peierce, Peirice, Pieirca, Perce, Pirce, Pearce, Pierce.

England:

The origins of the surname Peirce are found in Somerset where people held a family seat from early times and their registers were found in the poll derived by the Kings of Britain to develop the rate of taxation of their activities.

The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of Gilbert Perse, dated about 1198, in the “London pipe rolls ” It was during the time of King Richard I who was known to be the “The Lionheart,” dated 1189-1199. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Peirce had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Peirce settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Peirce who settled in the United States in the 17th century included David Peirce landed in Virginia in the year 1637. Eliza Peirce and Robert Peirce, both landed in Virginia in the same year 1643. Peter Peirce landed in Virginia in 1647, and Richard Peirce came to Maryland in 1649.

Some of the people with the surname Peirce who settled in the United States in the 18th century included Tobias Peirce and Anne Peirce; both arrived in Virginia in the same year 1714. Henry Peirce landed in Virginia in 1701 and James Peirce settled in South Carolina in 1769.

The following century saw more Peirce surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Peirce who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Samuel Peirce at the age of 38 landed in Virginia in the year 1813.

Australia:

Some of the people with the surname Peirce who settled in Australia in the 19th century included Samuel Peirce arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “ Stebonheath” in the year 1849.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Peirce: United States 4,129; England 1,065; Australia 722; Canada 352; South Africa 274; Scotland 53; New-Zealand 45; Belgium 59; Italy 190; Mexico 131.

Notable People:

Augustus Baker Peirce (1840–1919), was a riverboat captain and actor in Australia.

Benjamin Peirce (1809–1880), was an American expert in mathematics, writer of an article on the refusal of data outliers Peirce’s Criterion, and father of Charles Sanders Peirce.

Bill Peirce (born 1938), is a financier, Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, and 2006 Ohio gubernatorial participant.

Charles Sanders Peirce (C.S. Peirce) (1839–1914), was an American mathematician, scientist, scholar, creator of pragmatism.

Clarence V. Peirce (1850-1923), was an old American laborer and political leader.

George James Peirce (1868–1954), was an American biologist.

Hayford Peirce (born 1942), is an American author of science fiction

Kimberly Peirce (born 1967), is an American film producer.

Leslie P. Peirce was an American professor.

Lincoln Peirce was an American artisan, famous for the comic strip Big Nate.

Penney L. Peirce, (born 1949), is an American head of intuition development, writer of books on religious and extended approach.

Robert B. F. Peirce (1843–1898), was an American member from Indiana.

Waldo Peirce (1884–1970), was an American painter. He was born in Bangor, Maine.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Canterbury, co. Kent). Az. a bend wavy or, betw. two unicorns’ heads erased ar. maned gold. Crest—A unicorn’s head couped ar. armed and maned or.
2) (London). Ar. a fesse humettée gu. betw. three ravens rising sa.
3) Sa. a bend raguly betw. two unicorns’ heads erased or. Crest—A griffin pass. or.