Show ContentsProsise History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Prosise is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Otto I defeated the Magyars in 955. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Prosise family

The surname Prosise was first found in Austria, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The name Ambrose derives from Saint Ambrose (340-397,) who was bishop of Milan and one of the greatest founders of the Christian Church.

Early History of the Prosise family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prosise research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1790, 1816 and 1876 are included under the topic Early Prosise History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prosise Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Prosise include Ambrose, Ambross, Ambros, Ambroess, Ambrossi and many more.

Early Notables of the Prosise family

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


United States Prosise migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Prosise were

Prosise Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Lawrence Prosise, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Fort Jay, N.Y., in 1918

Contemporary Notables of the name Prosise (post 1700) +

  • Mike Prosise, American actor, known for The Time Will Come (2014), A Chosen Family and Near Miss (2007)
  • Donny Prosise, American actor and composer, known for Blunt Offerings (2013)
  • Jeff Prosise, American technical author on Microsoft Windows applications
  • C. J. Prosise (b. 1994), American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks


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