The prefix Tre- or Tref- is commonly found in Cornish and Welsh place names, denoting "hamlet, farmstead or estate", and dates from the 7th century Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain.

This was extended early in the 16th century, probably by 'Jack of Tilbury', to include a 2-storey range to the south-east of the earlier tower, together now forming the bulky south wing.

The earliest known holder was the de Terise family, which took its surname from the manor, whose descent is recorded in the Heraldic Visitations of Cornwall as follows:.

The Arundells of Trerice are said to have had their English origins during the reign of King Henry III (1216–1272) at the manor of "Caryhayes, Carshayes, Kierhaies or Kenelhelvas"[16] in Cornwall,[17] or at Allerford[18] in Somerset.

[16] Ralph Arundell of Kierhaies (or Kenelhelvas) who during the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377) married Jane de Terise, heiress of Trerice.

[23] These Pellor arms are also visible on the monumental brass to Sir John IV Arundell (died 1561) in Stratton Church (see image below).

[23] A 15th century stained glass fragment survives reset in the east window of the north aisle, Selworthy Church, Somerset, showing the arms of St John of Selworthy (Argent, a bend engrailed sable on a chief gules three mullets or) impaling: Vert, a lion rampant argent over all a fess gules.

The shield does not match with the Latin inscription below it: Scutu(m) Nicolai Arundell de Trerys armig(eri) et Elizabeth(ae) ux(o)r(i)s ei(u)s sola filia et heres Martini Peltor armig(eri) ("Shield of Nicholas Arundell of Trerice, Esquire, and of Elizabeth his wife, only daughter and heir of Martin Peltor, Esquire").

According to the Cornish historian, Richard Carew in his Survey of Cornwall:[25] Robert Arundell, eldest son and heir, who married Ellen Southwood.

Sir John IV Arundell (1495–1561), eldest son and heir, known as Jack of Tilbury, was an Esquire of the Body to King Henry VIII whom he served as Vice-Admiral of the West.

[39] He married twice: Sir John Arundell (1576–1654), eldest son and heir, of Trerice, nicknamed "Jack-for-the-King", MP for Cornwall and for Tregony.

He was an infant aged four on his father's death, and became a ward of the crown, which wardship was purchased by family trustees, including his brother-in-law Richard Carew.

[36] Following the death of the latter, he sought to obtain possession of his estates, including the former Beville seat of Gwarnick, then claimed by the Prideaux family.

In his marriage settlement the 4th Baron Arundell had settled Trerice and his other estates including Efford and Bude in Cornwall, and Selworthy and Luccombe in Somerset, in default of his own issue, on his wife's nephew, William Wentworth (died 1776), a gentleman usher of the privy chamber to Augusta, Princess of Wales, son of Elizabeth's other brother Peter Wentworth of Henbury, Dorset, and in default of his issue with remainder to Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 7th Baronet (1723–1785)) and his heirs.

[71] He invested heavily at Bude by building the St Michael and All Angels Church, a breakwater in the harbour and partly financing the Bude Canal, which passed through the Arundell estates, and in 1823 built "a fisherman's cottage" holiday home known today as "Efford Cottage",[72] situated on the bank of the River Neet at its estuary.

[77] The Aclands later leased Trerice with 500 acres to the Tremaine family, who farmed the estate with a staff of twelve men, four women and four boys.

[79] After the First World War the new owner, Cornwall County Council, split the estate into twelve separate farms, which were either leased to farmers or sold off, leaving the house with only 20 acres of surrounding grounds.

[80] In the summer of 1940, the Newquay unit of the Cornwall Home Guard (nicknamed "The Choughs") held drills on the parade ground of the estate.

[citation needed] John Elton (died 1980), the previous tenant since 1944,[84][85] who had been an East India merchant, obtained a new 200-year lease in 1953, for one shilling a year, but on the condition that he would invest his personal funds in restoring the house.

Elton restored the house, which included rebuilding the partially demolished north wing, but spent about £60,000, three times more than expected.

[86] Elton left Trerice in 1965 following the death of his wife, and subsequently built a bungalow called Fairlie Lodge, in Shackleford, Surrey.