Pratten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England produced the name of Pratten. It was given to a trickster; for a practical joker. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word prætt, which meant "a trick" or alternatively "cunning and astute." A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Nickname surnames were frequently the result of a spontaneous reaction to a particular occasion or event. It is possible that the name was given to the original bearer as the result of a particularly brilliant and wildly successful practical joke.

Early Origins of the Pratten family

The surname Pratten was first found in Essex but the name originally comes from Normandy where it is derived from the place name Pratum, or Pré, near Lisieux where Duke Richard gave lands to Fontanelles Abbey in 1024. Again in Normandy, Richard and Robert de Prato were listed in 1198 but another branch of the family were found in Essex in 1199 where Roger de Prato was listed at that time. Hervery de Prato was King John's "faithful knight" in 1200 and Rouen Castle was given to his brother for his services. 1

We draw the reader's attention to the church in the parish of Ryston in Norfolk. "The church is chiefly in the decorated English style, and contains numerous monuments to the Pratt family, including one to Lady Pratt, whose figure, in a reclining posture, is beautifully sculptured in white marble." 2

Early History of the Pratten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pratten research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1497, 1573, 1615, 1620, 1657, 1659, 1664, 1667, 1684, 1723, 1725 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Pratten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pratten Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Pratten has appeared include Pratt, Pratte, Prat and others.

Early Notables of the Pratten family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Roger Pratt (1620-1684), an English gentleman-architect, best known for his work on Clarendon House, London (1664-1667.)Sir John Pratt (1657-1725), was an English judge, son...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pratten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pratten family to Ireland

Some of the Pratten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pratten migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pratten Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mary Ann Pratten, English convict from Bristol, who was transported aboard the "Angelina" on April 25, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Pratten (post 1700) +

Robert Sidney Pratten (1824-1868), English flautist from Bristol, second son of a professor of music who was for many years flautist at the Bristol theatre
Frederick Lewis Pratten (1904-1967), English cricketer who played 12 first-class matches for Somerset in 1930 and 1931
Herbert Graham "Bert" Pratten (1892-1979), Australian cricketer
Frederick Graham Pratten (1899-1977), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Martin (1928-1929), nephew of Herbert Pratten
Herbert Edward Pratten (1865-1928), Australian politician, Minister for Trade and Customs (1924-1928), Minister for Health (1924-1925) and Senator for New South Wales (1917-1921), eponym of Pratten Park, Sydney

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Angelina voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1844 with 171 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/angelina/1844