Pritz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The letters "b" and "p" are pronounced similarly in the German language, and were virtually interchangeable prior to the standardization of spelling in recent centuries. Thus the surname Pritz, can appear with either letter, creating both Breitzke and Pritzke. There are several possible origins for the Pritz surname. There are two towns named Britz in the Brandenburg region. One is a southern suburb of Berlin, the other, a settlement approximately twenty-five miles northeast of Berlin. Either may have inspired the surname. The surname Pritz, can also be patronymic, derived from the father of the original bearer. Pritz would then be based upon a short form of the Slavic personal name Pribislaw. Priczlaus and Prinzel were names found in Breslau around 1300, and Preczlaus Kuschmalcz was an episcopal vassal in Silesia in 1404. The surname may also have originated with a nickname, such as "Britsch" which was used to describe a person who was perceived as "bad-tempered" or "irritable."

Early Origins of the Pritz family

The surname Pritz was first found in Saxony, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Jacobus dictus der Britschen lived in Mainz in 1315, as did Jakob zur Britzen in 1338 and Jekeln Peter Britschen in 1356. Hanss Brittsch was a farmer and a weaver in Kempten in 1575. Valtin Pritzman was a resident of Brandenburg in 1597.

Early History of the Pritz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pritz research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1776 and 1853 are included under the topic Early Pritz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pritz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Breitkreitz, Britzke, Breitzke, Breitz, Britz, Britzkretz, Breitkreuz, Britzmann, Bretzmann, Brietzke, Britzkow, Pritzke and many more.

Early Notables of the Pritz family

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

Pritz migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pritz Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johan Peter Pritz, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1736

Pritz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis Pritz, who settled in Indiana 1852 and Eduard Britzke immigrated to America 1854
Edward Pritz was naturalized in Scott County, Iowa in 1858
Julien Pritz, who arrived in New York in 1866