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Show ContentsPratt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The earliest origins of the Pratt surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was 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 Pratt family

The surname Pratt 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 Pratt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pratt 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 Pratt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pratt Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Pratt are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Pratt include: Pratt, Pratte, Prat and others.

Early Notables of the Pratt 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 of Richard Pratt of Standlake, Oxfordshire, and grandson of Richard Pratt of Carswell Priory, near Collumpton, Devonshire. 3 Sir Samuel Pratt...

Pratt World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pratt is the 437th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Pratt is ranked the 816th most popular surname with an estimated 6,580 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Pratt is the 402nd popular surname with an estimated 9,171 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Pratt as 358th with 1,792 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Pratt as 378th with 16,851 people. 8

Ireland Migration of the Pratt family to Ireland

Some of the Pratt 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.

United States Pratt migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Pratt or a variant listed above:

Pratt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Isabell Pratt, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Jonathan" 9
  • Phineas Pratt, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622 9
  • Joshua Pratt, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 9
  • Mr. Abraham Pratt, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Charlestown. Lost at see in 1644. 9
  • Richard Pratt, who settled in Charles Town Massachusetts in 1630
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pratt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Pratt, who landed in Virginia in 1714 9
  • Thomas Pratt, who landed in Georgia in 1735 9
  • Cornelius Pratt, aged 25, who arrived in New Jersey in 1776 9
  • Patty Pratt, aged 17, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1777 9
Pratt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Pratt, aged 57, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 9
  • Edward Pratt, aged 32, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 9
  • Alexander I Pratt, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1821 9
  • Henry Pratt, aged 15, who arrived in Norfolk, Va in 1821 9
  • Robert Pratt, aged 17, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1826 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Pratt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Pratt, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
  • Mr. Jacob Pratt U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 10
  • Mr. James Pratt U.E. (b. 1763) who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he enlisted in 1778 serving in New Jersey Volunteers 1st Battalion as a Drummer, married to Ann McKenzie then Mary Allen having 10 children, he died in 1848 10
Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Pratt, aged 33, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
  • Margaret Pratt, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
  • Edward Pratt, who settled in King's Cove, Newfoundland in 1836 11

Australia Pratt migration to Australia +

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

Pratt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Pratt, English convict who was convicted in Newark (Newark-on-Trent), Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. Thomas Pratt, British convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • David Pratt, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 14
  • George Pratt, English convict from Hertfordshire, who was transported aboard the "America" on April 4, 1829, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Samuel Pratt, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Pratt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Pratt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Dennis Pratt, aged 31, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Sarah Ann Pratt, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Mr. Thomas Dennis Pratt, (b. 1809), aged 31, British farm labourer travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 17
  • Mrs. Sarah Ann Pratt, (b. 1811), aged 29, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 17
  • William T. Pratt, aged 19, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Pratt migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18
Pratt Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Isack Pratt, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 19
  • Mr. Richard Pratt, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 20
  • Isaac Pratt, who arrived in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Pratt (post 1700) +

  • Francis Ashbury Pratt (1827-1902), American mechanical engineer and inventor from Peru, New York, co-founder of Pratt & Whitney
  • Thomas George Pratt (1804-1869), American lawyer and politician, Governor of Maryland (1845-1848) and a U.S. Senator (1850-1857)
  • Minnie Bruce Pratt (1946-2023), American poet, educator, activist, and essayist, Professor of Writing and Women's Studies at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
  • Franklin M. "Frank" Pratt (1942-2021), American politician who served as a Republican member of the Arizona State Senate
  • Stephen Turnham Pratt, American scientist from the Argonne National Laboratory who was awarded the status of Fellow in the American Physical Society
  • Betty Rosenquest Pratt (1925-2016), American amateur tennis player, co-winner at the 1956 U.S. National Championships
  • Daria Pratt (1860-1938), American Olympian who won bronze for golf at the 1900 Summer Games
  • Brigadier-General Don Forrester Pratt (1892-1944), American Assistant Commanding General 101st Airborne Division, North-West Europe (1942-1944) 21
  • Major-General Henry Conger Pratt (1882-1966), American Commanding General Western Defense Command (1944-1945) 22
  • Spencer William Pratt (b. 1983), American television personality
  • ... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Miss Frances Pratt (1912-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
  • Mrs. Mary Louisa Pratt (1881-1914), née Holder Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 23
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. J. Taylor Pratt (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Halifax Explosion
  • Miss Isabella V. A.  Pratt (1901-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 25
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Stanley Walter Pratt (d. 1945), British Lieutenant Surgeon aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Albert W C Pratt (b. 1903), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Fishponds, Bristol, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
HMS Royal Oak
  • Cyril Pratt (1915-1939), British Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Richard Pratt, English Grill Cook from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29
SS Atlantic
  • James Pratt, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
  • Thos Pratt, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

Suggested Readings for the name Pratt +

  • Ancestors and Descendants of Paul Pratt of New Vineyard, Maine by Joan Pratt.
  • Descendants of Thomas Horton of Springfield: and Including Some Descendants of Phineas Pratt by Carl W. Fischer.
  1. 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)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  11. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  15. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1829 with 176 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1829
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  21. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Don Pratt. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Pratt/Don_Forrester/USA.html
  22. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Henry Pratt. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Pratt/Henry_Conger/USA.html
  23. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  24. News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
  25. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  26. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  27. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  28. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  29. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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