Show ContentsPrichett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Prichett come from its first bearer, who was a young buck having been from the Old English word priket, a young buck, or a buck in his second year. [1] 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. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal.

Early Origins of the Prichett family

The surname Prichett was first found in Sussex where the Subsidy Rolls for 1296 includes an entry for William Priket. In 1325, Laurence Priket was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1325. [1] The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Richard Priket as holding lands in Derbyshire at that time. [2]

'The crest of the family is allusive, being "a pricket—tripping, proper." [3]

Early History of the Prichett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prichett research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1603, 1611, 1672 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Prichett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prichett 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. Prichett has been spelled many different ways, including Prickett, Pricket, Prichet and others.

Early Notables of the Prichett family

Notables of the family at this time include Robert Pricket (fl. 1603), British poet who saw some military service in Elizabeth's reign, and afterwards sought a precarious livelihood as...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Prichett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Prichett migration to the United States +

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 Prichetts to arrive in North America:

Prichett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Margery Prichett, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [4]
  • Miles Prichett, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 [4]
  • Joane Prichett, who landed in Virginia in 1650 [4]
  • Ralph Prichett, who landed in Virginia in 1654 [4]
Prichett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joshua Prichett, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [4]

Contemporary Notables of the name Prichett (post 1700) +

  • John A. Prichett, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Tennessee, 1944


The Prichett Motto +

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: Auxillium ab alto
Motto Translation: Aid from above.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook