Show ContentsPready History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Pready

What does the name Pready mean?

It is thought that the Pready surname may be one of the Welsh "patronymics," or names created from the father's name. In this case the name was derived from the Welsh "ap Ridel," or "son of Ridel," an ancient Welsh name. 1

Early Origins of the Pready family

The surname Pready was first found in Somerset, at Priddy, a parish, in the union of Wells, hundred of Wells-Forum in Somerset. 2 3 4

The parish dates back to at least 1182 when it was first listed as Pridia and probably meant "earth house" from the Celtic word "prith" + "ti". 5 Steeped in ancient history, Priddy Circles, a Stone circle or Henge monument are nearby.

Surname spellings evolved through medieval times from Latin, through French and finally to English. One of the first entries for the family was found in the year 1320 when John Pridel held estates in Somerset bordering Wales. Later, William Pridy was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327 and much later, John Pridee was found in Devon in 1642. 1

Early History of the Pready family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pready research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1281, 1641, 1792 and 1805 are included under the topic Early Pready History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pready Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Pritwell, Prittle, Priddle, Pridell, Pritell, Priddell, Pridle, Prittle, Prittell, Pridwell, Priddy, Pridley, Pridie, Pridy, Pribble, Preddle, Prebble and many more.

Early Notables of the Pready family

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

Migration of the Pready family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Pridley settled in Baltimore in 1673; Thomas Priddle, who came to Virginia in 1737; Thomas Priddel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1843; as well as John Priddle and Mark Priddle, who were both on record in the Ontario census of 1871..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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