He was the son of Robert Trevor and Katherine ap Llewellyn.
While on military service in Ireland, in 1612 Edward Trevor married as his second wife Rose, a daughter of Henry Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh and his first wife Margaret Elliott, and acquired an estate in County Down which was renamed Rostrevor, incorporating his own name.
Archbishop Ussher appointed him joint executor of his will in 1613, together with his brother-in-law Sir Elliott.
In 1641 Trevor was captured and imprisoned by Irish rebels, and he died in captivity.
He had three other sons: and at least one daughter Eva, who married William Fitton of Awrice, County Limerick and was the mother of Sir Alexander Fitton, Lord Chancellor of Ireland.