At the parveys (Chaucer, Prol.) -at the church porch or portico of St. Paul's, where the lawyers were wont to meet for consultation. compare Parvisum, the church porch of S, Mary's, Oxford, where the examinations used to be held (Chaucer, Prol., p. 149). A family long settled in Rerwickshire, which gave name to Purveshaugh. They were vassals of the earls of March. William Purveys of Mospennoc made a grant along with Sir Archibald of Douglas to the monks of Melrose, c. 1214-49 (Melros, p. 215). William Porveys of Peeblesshire rendered homage in 1296. His seal bears a snake nowed and S Willi' Purvais (Bain, II, p. 202,533). As William Puruys he again appears in 1296 as witness to a charter by William de Billingham relating to lands at Fleurs, near Coldingham (Ratne). William Pourays of Berwickshire also rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 206). Alan Purvays de Ercildon witnessed a confirmation charter by Patrick, earl of March in 1318 (Dryburgh, 233), William Purwase was one of an inquest at Swinton in 1408 (Swinton, p. xviii), and Thomas Purvas had a charter de impignoracione terrarum de Swynwode' from Robert, duke of Albany, in 1427 (Raine, 145). Andrew Purwas was juror on inquest on lands of Tulloch in 1438 (RAA., II, 83). Jok Purvas or Purwas, a man to 'pitch the pavilions,' and Rob and Wil were yeomen of the stables in 1474 (ALHT., I, p. 62,297). Patrick Purwes witnessed a claim to the third part of Cranshaws in 1453 (Swinton, p. xxxix), and Andrew Purves was rector of Kynel in 1485 (REG., 439). Saunders Puruose of Erleston took 'assurance' of Protector Somerset at Kelso, 1547 (Patten, Expidicion into Scotlande, 1548). John Pureis was witness in Ayr, 1562 (RPC., I, p. 214). The family of Purves of that Ilk were never a leading family, and notices of them are few in the public records. Chambers (Popular rhymes, 1892 ed., p. 296) prints a rhyme in connection with the family which reads like a parody of that relating to the Haigs of Bemersyde.

"Befa,' befa', whate'or befa',

There'll aye be a gowk in Purves-ha."Stolen from Fore-bears

Purvess 1675, Purvose 1547, Purwass 1539 Purwess 1545, Puryes 1627.

(Anglo-French-Latin) Dweller at a Parvis or Porch (gen. of a church) [Anglo-French parvys, Old French parvis, Low Latin paravis-us; Latin paradis-us] The parvis, or portico, of old St. Paul’s was much frequented by lawyers.

A Sergeant of the Lawe, war and wys, That often hadde ben at the Parvys.— Chaucer, Cant. Tales, A 309-10.

The u in the name is due to the pronunciation Parvis.

(Scottish, English) Dweller at, or frequenter at, or near, a porch (generally of a church).

According to the account given in B.L.G., the Purvises of Darsham, co. Suffolk, originated from the family of Purvis "of that Ilk" in Scotland. "That Ilk," however, does not appear to be identified, although the name Purvoys, or Perves, is found in ancient records of the Lowland counties. I think the name is more likely to be derived from the Anglo-Norman pervis, or praise, which Kelham defines as, "the outer court of a palace or great house. . . . Such was the place in Palace-Yard, near Westminster Hall, mentioned by Fortescue, De Laud. Leg. Ang. c. 51; and Dugdale also takes notice of the Pervyse of Pawles."

A location name in Berwick.