| ![Show Contents]() Prett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of PrettWhat does the name Prett mean? Prett is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for 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 Prett familyThe surname Prett was first found in Staffordshire where "the earliest mention of this name is in the year 1192, when Engeran de Praetis attests the grant of the chapel of Hope-cum-Tideswell, by John, Earl of Moreton, to the cathedral of Lichfield." 2 Early History of the Prett familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prett research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1612, 1661 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Prett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Prett Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Prett were recorded, including Prettyman, Pretyman, Pretty and others. Early Notables of the Prett familyAnother 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Prett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Prett migration to the United States | + |
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Prett family emigrate to North America:
Prett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Peter Prett, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1747 3
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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