Contents [hide]

Pratt History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Pratt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Belgium
England
Ireland

The Pratt name is derived from the Old English word "prætt," which meant "a trick" or alternatively "cunning and astute;" as such it is thought to have originally been a nickname for a practical joker. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name, and could describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Pratt family

The surname Pratt was first found in Norfolk 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 Pratt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pratt research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1497, 1573, 1714, 1759, 1766, 1786, 1795, 1798, 1812 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Pratt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pratt Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pratt, Pratte, Prat and others.

Early Notables of the Pratt family

Notables of the family at this time include

Sir Charles Pratt (1714-94), British jurist, who was made Lord Chancellor in 1766 and created 1st Earl Camden in 1786...
His son John Jeffreys Pratt (1759-1840), was a member of the English Parliament, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1795-1798) and was made the 1st Marquess Camden in 1812...

Pratt World Ranking

In the United States, the name Pratt is the 437^th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Pratt is ranked the 816^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,580 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Pratt is the 402^nd popular surname with an estimated 9,171 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Pratt as 358^th with 1,792 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Pratt as 378^th with 16,851 people. 5

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 43 words (3 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 +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pratt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Isabell Pratt, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Jonathan" 6
Phineas Pratt, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1622 6
Joshua Pratt, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 6
Mr. Abraham Pratt, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Charlestown. Lost at see in 1644. 6
Richard Pratt, who settled in Charles Town Massachusetts in 1630
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pratt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter Pratt, who landed in Virginia in 1714 6
Thomas Pratt, who landed in Georgia in 1735 6
Cornelius Pratt, aged 25, who arrived in New Jersey in 1776 6
Patty Pratt, aged 17, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1777 6

Pratt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis Pratt, aged 57, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 6
Edward Pratt, aged 32, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 6
Alexander I Pratt, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1821 6
Henry Pratt, aged 15, who arrived in Norfolk, Va in 1821 6
Robert Pratt, aged 17, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1826 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pratt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Joseph Pratt, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Mr. Jacob Pratt U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 7
Mr. James Pratt U.E. (b. 1763) who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he enlisted in 1778 serving in New Jersey Volunteers 1st Battalion as a Drummer, married to Ann McKenzie then Mary Allen having 10 children, he died in 1848 7

Pratt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Pratt, aged 33, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
Margaret Pratt, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
Edward Pratt, who settled in King's Cove, Newfoundland in 1836 8

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

Mr. George Pratt, English convict who was convicted in Newark (Newark-on-Trent), Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Thomas Pratt, British convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
David Pratt, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 11
George Pratt, English convict from Hertfordshire, who was transported aboard the "America" on April 4, 1829, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Samuel Pratt, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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

Thomas Dennis Pratt, aged 31, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Sarah Ann Pratt, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Mr. Thomas Dennis Pratt, (b. 1809), aged 31, British farm labourer travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
Mrs. Sarah Ann Pratt, (b. 1811), aged 29, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 14
William T. Pratt, aged 19, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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. 15

Pratt Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Isack Pratt, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Peter Bonaventure" arriving in Barbados and St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 16
Mr. Richard Pratt, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 17
Isaac Pratt, who arrived in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Pratt (post 1700) +

Francis Ashbury Pratt (1827-1902), American mechanical engineer and inventor from Peru, New York, co-founder of Pratt & Whitney
Thomas George Pratt (1804-1869), American lawyer and politician, Governor of Maryland (1845-1848) and a U.S. Senator (1850-1857)
Minnie Bruce Pratt (1946-2023), American poet, educator, activist, and essayist, Professor of Writing and Women's Studies at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
Franklin M. "Frank" Pratt (1942-2021), American politician who served as a Republican member of the Arizona State Senate
Stephen Turnham Pratt, American scientist from the Argonne National Laboratory who was awarded the status of Fellow in the American Physical Society
Betty Rosenquest Pratt (1925-2016), American amateur tennis player, co-winner at the 1956 U.S. National Championships
Daria Pratt (1860-1938), American Olympian who won bronze for golf at the 1900 Summer Games
Brigadier-General Don Forrester Pratt (1892-1944), American Assistant Commanding General 101st Airborne Division, North-West Europe (1942-1944) 18
Major-General Henry Conger Pratt (1882-1966), American Commanding General Western Defense Command (1944-1945) 19
Spencer William Pratt (b. 1983), American television personality
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Pratt family +

Empress of Ireland

Miss Frances Pratt (1912-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Mrs. Mary Louisa Pratt (1881-1914), née Holder Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20

Fraterville mine

Mr. J. Taylor Pratt (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 21

Halifax Explosion

Miss Isabella V. A. Pratt (1901-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 22

HMS Dorsetshire

Stanley Walter Pratt (d. 1945), British Lieutenant Surgeon aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

HMS Hood

Mr. Albert W C Pratt (b. 1903), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Fishponds, Bristol, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24

HMS Royal Oak

Cyril Pratt (1915-1939), British Telegraphist with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 25

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Richard Pratt, English Grill Cook from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 26

SS Atlantic

James Pratt, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking
Thos Pratt, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1829 with 176 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1829
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Don Pratt. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Pratt/Don_Forrester/USA.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Henry Pratt. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Pratt/Henry_Conger/USA.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/