Pratt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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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

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

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.


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
Pratt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Pratt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Pratt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Pratt (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Pratt +
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