Show ContentsPrendegast History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of this surname remain uncertain. According to family lore, it was originally from a place named Brontegeest, near Ghent in Flanders. Form there, Flemish settlers took the name to Normandy, before arriving in Britain with the Norman invasion. The Prendegast family lived in the village of Prendergast in the Welsh county of Pembroke.

Early Origins of the Prendegast family

The surname Prendegast was first found in Pembroke where Philip, son of a bearer of Prenliregast, a follower of the Conqueror was given the lands, which would encompass Prendergast Castle. There has long been a Prenegast family of this name in Berwickshire, which is said to come from these same roots. "Preenhirlegast is generally supposed to be synonymous with Prendergast, which family, soon after the Conquest, held possessions in the county of Pembroke, and at Akill, in Northumberland, which last estate its owners forfeited in 1327, by their adherence to the Scottish party. Maurice, Lord of Prendergast, near Pembroke, was one of the most eminent of Strongbow's companions in the conquest of Ireland. " 1

In Scotland, "The family gave the name of their Welsh home to their new possessions, Prenderguest (now a farm, a 1152 Prenderghest) near Ayton, Berwickshire. Waldoev de Prendergest witnessed the grant of the church of Kilmaurs to the Abbey of Kelso, c. 1170. Helia de Prendregest witnessed a charter by Adam de Lamberton of the third part of Lambertun, c. 1190-1200. " 2

Early History of the Prendegast family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prendegast research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1172, 1225, 1240, 1296, 1325, 1354, 1413, 1424, 1440 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Prendegast History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prendegast Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Prendergast, Prendegast, Pendergast, Pendegast, Prendregast, Pendergrass, Pendergrist and many more.

Early Notables of the Prendegast family

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

Ireland Migration of the Prendegast family to Ireland

Some of the Prendegast family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Prendegast family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Phillip Prendergast who settled in Virginia in 1643; Richard and Miles Prendergast arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1858; Edward Prendergrast settled in Philadelphia in 1838.



  1. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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