Show ContentsProfitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Scottish name Profitt is carried by the descendents of the Pictish people. It was a name for a person who played the part of a prophet in a medieval pageant. However, another source claims "this name owes its origin to an ancestor who had enacted such a part in mediaeval pageant. and the suggestion is not unlikely." 1

Early Origins of the Profitt family

The surname Profitt was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland.

One of the first records of the family was William Propheta who was charter witness in Aberdeen in 1281. Later, John Profite was admitted burgess of the same burgh in 1440. A few years later, Thom Propheit appears as "mair of the quarter of Brechin" and sheriff-depute of Forfar in 1473. 1

Early History of the Profitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Profitt research. Another 31 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1450, 1467, 1470 and 1552 are included under the topic Early Profitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Profitt Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Profitt has appeared Proffit, Profat, Profet, Profett, Profit, Prophat, Prophet and many more.

Early Notables of the Profitt family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Profitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Profitt Ranking

In the United States, the name Profitt is the 14,207th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2


United States Profitt migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Profitt name:

Profitt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Thomas David Profitt, aged 31 who arrived at Berbice British Guiana in 1905
  • Thomas David Profitt, aged 43, destined for New York in 1920

Contemporary Notables of the name Profitt (post 1700) +

  • Larry D. and Margaret E. Profitt, American former co-owners of KWDP, an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Waldport, Oregon
  • Thomas James "Tommee" Profitt, American music producer
  • Tara Profitt, American Paralympic silver medalist table tennis player at the 2011 Parapan American Games
  • David Profitt, British media executive from the Chrysalis Group who was involved in the buy-out of Pavilion Books Holdings Ltd, an English publishing company
  • Vic Profitt (1898-1978), Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong (1924-1925)


  1. 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)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


Houseofnames.com on Facebook