Pretay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Etymology of Pretay

The name Pretay is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for 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 Pretay family

Early History of the Pretay family

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

Pretay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Pretay have been found, including Prettyman, Pretyman, Pretty and others.

Early Notables of the Pretay family

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

Migration of the Pretay family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Pretay, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: 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 ".