Prather History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Prather surname comes from the word Latin "praetor," and was a term used for a reeve, the chief magistrate or bailiff of a district. Additionally, the name could have meant "leader." The Pretorius variant is a common Afrikaans surname which is unique to South Africa.

Early Origins of the Prather family

The surname Prather was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The family name was first referenced in the year 1150 when Willelmus Pretor held estates in that shire. Later, Robertus Preter was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1208. 1

By the 16th century, early spelling variations of the name appeared in Germany including Jacob Praetorius the Elder (c. 1520-1586), the German organist and composer. He was the first of many listed in this century, but how the English and German families are related is unknown. Moreover how the South African variant Pretorius became so popular there is again unknown.

Early History of the Prather family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prather research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Prather History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prather Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Prater, Preater, Prather, Pretor, Prether and many more.

Early Notables of the Prather family

More information is included under the topic Early Prather Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prather Ranking

In the United States, the name Prather is the 1,907^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 2

Prather migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Prather Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jonathan Prather, who arrived in Virginia sometime between 1634 and 1789

Prather Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Annie C. Prather, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895

Prather Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Elisabeth Prather, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1905
Emma Fr. Prather, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1905
Abby W. Prather, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1906
Elizabeth Prather, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
Katharina Prather, who immigrated to America, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Prather (post 1700) +

Guy Prather (b. 1958), American NFL linebacker who played from 1981 to 1985 for the Green Bay Packers
Waylon Prather (b. 1985), American football punter
Hugh Prather (1938-2010), American author, minister, and counselor
H. Lee Prather, American football and basketball coach
Richard Scott Prather (1921-2007), American mystery novelist
Brianne Danielle Prather (b. 1980), American actress, best known for her role as Hillary Lighter on the Disney Channel show The Jersey
Lieutenant Commander Victor A. Prather Jr (1923-1961), American flight surgeon, best known for his contributions to "Project RAM", a government project to develop the space suit
Maurice William Prather (1926-2001), American motion picture and still photographer and film director
Henry Prather Fletcher (1873-1959), American Republican politician, Served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; Lawyer; U.S. Minister to Chile, 1909-14; Luxembourg, 1923-24; U.S. Ambassador to Chile, 1914-16; Mexico, 1916-19; Belgium, 1922-24; Italy, 1924-29; Chairman of Republican National Committee, 1934-36; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1936 (speaker); Delegate to Republican National Convention from Rhode Island, 1940 (member, Arrangements Committee; Member, Resolutions Committee) 3
William Prather Curlin Jr. (b. 1933), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Kentucky State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Kentucky 6th District, 1971-73 4

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, September 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html