| ![Show Contents]() Presta History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Presta is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from the family once having lived in Prestwick, Northumberland, or in Prestwich, in Cheshire. Prestwich is now part of Greater Manchester. The place names Prestwick and Prestwich have an identical etymology; they are derived from the Old English words preost, which meant priest, and wic, which meant farm. The place names taken as a whole mean "priest's farm." Early Origins of the Presta familyThe surname Presta was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Early History of the Presta familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Presta research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1250 is included under the topic Early Presta History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Presta Spelling VariationsSound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Presta family name include Prestwick, Preswick, Preswicke, Prestwich and others. Early Notables of the Presta familyMore information is included under the topic Early Presta Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Presta family to Ireland
Some of the Presta family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Presta familyFor political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Presta surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Roger Preswicke, who came to New England in 1702; and Thomas Prestwich who settled in Philadelphia in 1868.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Presta (post 1700) | + |
- Millie Presta, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1960 1
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: In te domine speravi
Motto Translation: In thee, O Lord, I have placed my hope.
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England
Ireland
