Primrose Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Primrose Origin:

Scotland

Origins of Primrose:

It is an interesting and unique name of real Scottish origin and acquires from ‘the lands of primrose’ in Dunfermline. The spelling is Old British pre 8th century and perhaps converts as ‘the courtyard on the moor’ from Penn-Rhos. The surname first shows in the 14th century though the real land document was frequently dated some two hundred years earlier. The name was never very common, but in 1700 Archibald Primrose of Carrinton was designated Viscount Primrose, and after that Lord of Rosebery. The name advancement has contained Primeroose (1653 Stockholm) Prymrose (1569 Culross).

Variations:

More common variations are: Primerose, Primarose, Primmrouse, Premrose, Primeros, Primrosa, Primross, Prumrose, Brimrose, Parimeros.

Scotland:

The surname Primrose first appeared in Fife, where they held a family seat from old times and their first document found on the early poll rolls derived by the first Lord of Scotland to decide the rate of taxation of their services.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of John Prymros, dated about 1387, in the “Mason of St. Giles Church”, Edinburgh. It was during the time of King Robert of Scotland, dated 1371-1390. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.

Ireland:

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

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Primrose landed in the United States in two different centuries respectively in the 17th and 19th. Some of the people with the name Primrose who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Lew Primrose settled in Boston in the year 1764. William Primrose who settled in Maryland in the year 1775. John Primrose at the age of 46, landed in New York in the year 1798

The following century saw more Primrose surnames arrive. Some of the people with the name Primrose who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Alexander Primrose, who came to Illinois in the year 1830. William Primrose came to Philadelphia in the year 1843. W Primrose, who arrived in San Francisco, California in the year 1850. Thomas Primrose, who came to America in the year 1855. David Primrose, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) Division, Pennsylvania in the year 1871.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Primrose: United States 1,601; Uganda 1,307; South Africa 676; England 613; Canada 409; Scotland 381; Australia 379; Germany 168; New Zealand 151; India 50.

Notable People:

Archibald Primrose, Lord Carrington (1616–1679), was an outstanding Scottish advocate, and justice.

Archibald Primrose was the second commander of Primrose. He passed away in the year 1716.

Archibald Primrose, 1st champion of Rosebery (1661–1723), was a Scottish leader.

Archibald Primrose, 4th Earl of Rosebery (1783–1868), was a British leader.

Archibald Primrose, King Dalmeny (1809–1851), was a Scottish progressive politician.

Archie Primrose, Lord Dalmeny (1910–1931), was an English-born Scottish cricket player.

William Primrose CBE (August 1904–May 1982) was a Scottish violist and professor. He played with the London String Quartet from the year 1930 to 1935. He then attended the NBC symphony orchestra where he created the Primrose Quartet.

Sir Henry William Primrose KCB CSI I.S.O. PC (August 1846–June 1923) was a Scottish local servant. He attended the Treasury in 1869, gave services as private secretary to the Viceroy of India from the year 1880 to 1884 and Gladstone in 1886.

Gilbert Edward Primrose (February 1848–February 1935) was a Scottish amateur athlete who made one appearance for the Scottish football XI opposite to England in the representative match played in February 1871.

Peter Thomas Primrose (b. 1955), was an Australian Congressman in New South Wales.

Captain Neil James Archibald Primrose (1882-1917), was a British Congressman. He was also a representative of the UK Parliament.

Philip Carteret Hill Primrose (1864-1937), was a Canadian police officer, who was made assistant Governor of Alberta.

Archibald Philip Primrose (1847-1929), was a British political leader and 5th commander of Rosebery.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Scotland, 16th century). Az. a chev. or, betw. three primroses slipped ppr.
2) (Earl of Rosebery). Motto—Fide et fiducia. Quarterly, 1st and 4th, vert three primroses within a double tressure flory counterflory or, for Primose; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a lion ramp. double-queued sa., for Cressy. Crest—A demi lion gu. holding in the dexter paw a primrose, as in the arms. Supporters—Two lions or.