The Prowse family has a long and storied history in Devonshire, England, dating back to the late 12th century. They held many lands in the shire over the years and Sir William Prowse (born circa 1245) is a well-known 13th magnate to students of Devonshire history. The "family homestead" of Gidleigh or Gidley Castle still survives as a Norman ruin, although the bulk of the original manor house was demolished in the 16th century to make was for a newer manor. The keep -- seen above -- survives. A wonderful history of Gidley Castle, and the source of the picture above, can be found at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/4294/gidleigh1.html.
The same source, written by the late C. A. Howis Croxford, provides a wonderful description of the evolution of the name of the castle from its original Saxon moniker: "...It was Gydden Leh or Ghidderleia at the time of Doomsday, Giddeleia and variations in the 12th century, Guddelegh, Gudeleghe and Giddeley in the 13th century, and finally Gidley or Gidleigh. Although tradition claims that the name derives from the Danish princess Gydda, who owned the manor and was the mother of King Harold, the English Placename Society comes down in favour of a derivation from the Saxon word "Gydda" meaning a clearing (curiously the same spelling as the princess' name) combined with "leah" meaning land not under cultivation..."
Surname variations include de Probus, Le Prouz, Prous, Prouse, Proutz, Prouz, and Prowse.
The original family coat of arms were described as: Arms: Quarterly, sable and argent, a bend or. Crest: A demi lion or and have been rendered by the good folks at Prouse.org family site as:
In addition, the Prouse.org site provides the coat of arms that is specific to the Gidley Castle Prowse family: Arms: Sable three lions rampant argent.
