Prescod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Prescod name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived near a priest's cottage. The surname is derived from the Old English elements preost, which meant priest, and cot, which meant cottage. This is a topographic surname; it is derived from a local geographical feature, instead of an already existing place-name. It may also denote employment at a priest's cottage. The Prescod name comes from having lived near a priest's cottage; it is derived from the Old English elements "preost," which meant "priest," and "cot," which meant "cottage." As such, this name is classed as a topographic surname; that is, one that is derived from a local geographical feature, rather than from an already existing place-name.

Early Origins of the Prescod family

The surname Prescod was first found in Lancashire at Prescot, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of West Derby. 1 While there are also parishes in Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire, it is the Lancashire location that this family hails. "The Prescotts take their name from a Lancashire parish; they are also represented in Cheshire." 2 "The Lancashire town gave rise to a family that still flourishes in its local directories." 3

While most sources agree on the place of origin of the family and their first stronghold, ironically the first listing of the family used an ancient family spelling in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as (Heredes) de Prestecote in Oxfordshire. 3 Later, Kirby's Quest listed Adam le Prestecote in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 4

Early History of the Prescod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prescod research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1726, 1789, 1815 and 1858 are included under the topic Early Prescod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prescod Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Prescod has undergone many spelling variations, including Prescott, Presscot, Presscot, Prescot, Prescop and others.

Early Notables of the Prescod family

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

Prescod migration to Canada +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Prescod were among those contributors:

Prescod Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Prescod Sr., U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 5

The Prescod Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Lux mihi Deus
Motto Translation: God is my light.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
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