Pertwee
Select
Pertwee Surname Genealogy
The name Pertwee is of Huguenot extraction and was originally Perthuis. After the French purge of Huguenots in 1685, many refugees fled to Protestant countries such as England. In England, the Perthuis settled mainly in Essex and Suffolk. Due to the locals' inability to pronounce Perthuis, the name got corrupted to Pertwee.
The name Pertwee is of Huguenot extraction and was originally Perthuis. In Essex, there is early evidence in the 1700's of Huguenots at Thorpe Park near Clacton. The Rev. Pertwee was vicar of Brightlingsea in the early 1800's. He was known to climb the belfry tower during stormy nights to shine out a lantern for distressed mariners at sea. More than a century later, the Rev. Ellsworth Petrwee, described as a "saintly, spry, white-haired elf," was equally energetic. He went out to South Africa in the 1970's to give support to the anti-apartheid cause.
There were also Pertwees prominent in local affairs in Chelmsford and Colchester. Charles Pertwee, a local architect and subsequent borough engineer, designed many of Chelmsford's Victorian buildings. Norman Pertwee, a local businessman, helped start the Colchester rugby club in the 1920's.
But the Pertwees really made their name in TV and film. Both Roland and Michael Pertwee were screen-writers; a generation later, Jon and Bill Pertwee became well-known actors, Jon in particular for his portrayal of Dr. Who in the TV series of the 1970's.
Rev. Pertwee of Brightlingsea saved many a mariner out at sea in the early 1800's.
Jon Pertwee, the actor who made his name as Dr. Who.
Select Pertwees Today
The name Pertwee is of Huguenot extraction and was originally Perthuis. After the French purge of Huguenots in 1685, many refugees fled to Protestant countries such as England. In England, the Perthuis settled mainly in Essex and Suffolk. Due to the locals' inability to pronounce Perthuis, the name got corrupted to Pertwee.
Select Pertwee Resources on
The
Internet
- Pertwee/Brightlingsea (Essex). The Rev. Pertwee and Brightlingsea's maritime history.
The name Pertwee is of Huguenot extraction and was originally Perthuis. In Essex, there is early evidence in the 1700's of Huguenots at Thorpe Park near Clacton. The Rev. Pertwee was vicar of Brightlingsea in the early 1800's. He was known to climb the belfry tower during stormy nights to shine out a lantern for distressed mariners at sea. More than a century later, the Rev. Ellsworth Petrwee, described as a "saintly, spry, white-haired elf," was equally energetic. He went out to South Africa in the 1970's to give support to the anti-apartheid cause.
There were also Pertwees prominent in local affairs in Chelmsford and Colchester. Charles Pertwee, a local architect and subsequent borough engineer, designed many of Chelmsford's Victorian buildings. Norman Pertwee, a local businessman, helped start the Colchester rugby club in the 1920's.
But the Pertwees really made their name in TV and film. Both Roland and Michael Pertwee were screen-writers; a generation later, Jon and Bill Pertwee became well-known actors, Jon in particular for his portrayal of Dr. Who in the TV series of the 1970's.
Rev. Pertwee of Brightlingsea saved many a mariner out at sea in the early 1800's.
Jon Pertwee, the actor who made his name as Dr. Who.
Select Pertwees Today
Site Map: Select Names
The Origin/Spread of Surnames
For other surnames check the companion selectsurname.com site where there are to be found the history and genealogy for more than 500 surnames.