Show ContentsPreddie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Preddie Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Preddie

What does the name Preddie mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Preddie come from its first bearer, who was a crafty or cunning individual. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word prætig, which meant crafty or cunning. 1 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.

Another source claims "the name, however, has nothing to do with prettiness, but is derived from the Latin pratum, a meadow. The Prettys of Scotland and Ireland are of English origin." 2

Early Origins of the Preddie family

The surname Preddie was first found in Staffordshire where "the earliest mention of this name is in the year 1192, when Engeran de Praetis attests the grant of the chapel of Hope-cum-Tideswell, by John, Earl of Moreton, to the cathedral of Lichfield." 2

Early History of the Preddie family

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

Preddie Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Preddie has been spelled many different ways, including Prettyman, Pretyman, Pretty and others.

Early Notables of the Preddie family

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

Migration of the Preddie family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Preddies to arrive in North America: Edward Pretty settled in New England in 1654; Thomas and Penelope Pretty settled in Virginia in 1654; George Pretty settled in Virginia in 1607; thirteen years before the ".

  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Houseofnames.com on Facebook