Pretty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England

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The history of the name Pretty begins in the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for a crafty or cunning individual. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word prætig, which meant crafty. Some variants of the name have the suffix man appended to them; this seems to have occurred sometime in the late 15th or early 16th centuries.

Early Origins of the Pretty family

The surname Pretty was first found in Staffordshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Pretty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pretty research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1612, 1661 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Pretty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pretty 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 Pretty 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 Pretty include: Prettyman, Pretyman, Pretty and others.

Early Notables of the Pretty family

Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pretty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pretty Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Pretty is the 335^th most popular surname with an estimated 137 people with that name. 1

Pretty 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 Pretty or a variant listed above:

Pretty Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

George Pretty, who settled in Virginia in 1607
Edward Pretty, who settled in New England in 1654
Thomas and Penelope Pretty, who settled in Virginia in 1654
Penelope Pretty, who landed in Maryland in 1669 2
Richard Pretty, aged 53, who arrived in New York in 1690 2

Pretty Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Pretty, who arrived in America in 1764 2

Pretty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benjamin F. Pretty, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1868
Wm. Pretty, aged 51, who immigrated to America, in 1893

Pretty Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

George Owen Pretty, aged 28, who landed in America from London, England, in 1909
Lilly Pretty, aged 37, who landed in America from London, England, in 1910
Rose Pretty, aged 26, who settled in America from Salesbury, England, in 1912
Edgar Pretty, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from Crenwell, England, in 1913
William Pretty, aged 72, who immigrated to the United States from Ipswich, England, in 1914
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pretty migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pretty Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Jasper Pretty U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 3

Pretty Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Rebecca Pretty, aged 19, who arrived at St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1905
Elizabeth Pretty, aged 19, who arrived at Dildo, Newfoundland, in 1909
Elizabeth A. Pretty, aged 30, who arrived at Vancouver, British Colombia, in 1910
Frederick William Pretty, aged 43, who arrived at Rossland, B.C., in 1913
Jemima Pretty, aged 18, who arrived at Dildo, Newfoundland, in 1915
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pretty migration to Australia +

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

Pretty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Dodwell Pretty, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Matthew Pretty, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 5
James Pretty, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 5
Robert Pretty, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 5
John Henry Pretty, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pretty 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:

Pretty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Edward Pretty, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Annie Wilson" in 1863

Contemporary Notables of the name Pretty (post 1700) +

Edith May Pretty (1883-1942), née Dempster, English landowner and amateur archaeologist from Elland, Yorkshire; the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo ship burial was discovered on her land
Air Marshal Sir Walter Pretty KBE, CB (1909-1975), British Royal Air Force officer, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Signals Command (1961-1964)
Donald Wayne Pretty (b. 1936), Canadian silver medalist rower at the 1956 Summer Olympics
David Pretty (b. 1951), former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne (1969-1973)
Charles Fenn Pretty (1865-1940), Canadian forester from Belleville, Ontario, he moved to New Westminster, BC in 1890, founded Pretty's Timber Exchange in 1903, considered the father of the forestry industry in British Columbia
Lloyd Pretty, Newfoundland contemporary fine artist from Stephenville
Diane Pretty (1958-2002), British woman from Luton who became notable after being the focus of a debate about the laws of euthanasia in United Kingdom
Robert Pretty, British Clergyman