Pret History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Pret

The origins of the Pret surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a crafty or cunning individual. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word prætig, which meant crafty or cunning. 1 Some variants of the name have the suffix man appended to them; this seems to have occurred sometime in the late 15th or early 16th centuries.

Another source claims "the name, however, has nothing to do with prettiness, but is derived from the Latin pratum, a meadow. The Prettys of Scotland and Ireland are of English origin." 2

Early Origins of the Pret family

Early History of the Pret family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pret research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1612, 1661 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Pret History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pret Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Pret has been spelled many different ways, including Prettyman, Pretyman, Pretty and others.

Early Notables of the Pret family

Distinguished members of the family include

• Sir John Pretyman, 1st Baronet (ca...

Migration of the Pret family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Prets to arrive in North America: Edward Pretty settled in New England in 1654; Thomas and Penelope Pretty settled in Virginia in 1654; George Pretty settled in Virginia in 1607; thirteen years before the ".