Have you done your DNA?
One Hypothesis postulated by Trevor Peach born from 1st Generation Roy & Gladys Peach suggests that after doing his DNA test it was revealed he had 1.1% Oriental (Iraq, Iran, Isreal) most likely Persian ancestry. Here is the hypothesis – The Persian Apple called the PEACH came from Northern China in 800 AD Its botanical name Prunus persica refers to Persia peaches originated in China where they have been cultivated since the Neolithic period. When the Chinese apple landed in Iran on route from North China on the Silk Trade Route it found the Persians were expert in apple and pear diversification/ domestication (germplasm) and as the more oriental Peach fruit was cultivated these fruits were transferred from Central Asia to the West via the Silk Road. Possibly our Oriental ancestors from Persia who travelled with this new fruit to the west introduced the name into their new family beginnings and over many migrations of this seed germinating and pollinating the Peach name found fertile soil in Peterborough? It is not surprising then to find that Peterborough had numerous Peach families going back before 1700. It is also possible that the original Peach families in England were farmers and worked with fruit plantations? Over hundreds of years the industrialisation of England drew more workers into bricklaying since farmers were more familiar with clay and its characteristics? It would be interesting if other Peach family members have done their DNA tests and it has been revealed the 1.1% likely Oriental – Persian ancestry?
A peach flower with a bee pollinating it.
Trevor Peach – DNA results showing 1.1% Oriental (Persian) in 2nd Generation Brisbane Peaches
The handed down generic explanation is that the Peach name may be of occupational origin, derived from the type of work one had. Perhaps it may have been from a farmer of peach trees or from the seller of peaches at the markets. Alternatively, it reflected the personality of the person or physical characteristics. The old French word is “peche” or the Latin “peccatum” which literally means “sin” or transgression. The old Germanic relative Sinn means “sense”. Given that the Bishop of Coventry Robert Peche had this name perhaps reflected a more uplifting spiritual meaning?
The surname appears in English documents as early as 1086 and has variations of form as in Peccat, Pesche, and Pech. Modern variants of the name include Petch, Petche, Petchey, Pechey and Peachey.