| ![Show Contents]() Proto History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Wales This old, proud name is a patronymic name created from the Welsh personal name Rhydderc, Riderch, or Roderick, all of which mean "reddish-brown." The surname Proto features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ap-," which means "son of." The original form of the name was ap-Rhydderc, or ap-Riderch, but the prefix has been assimilated into the surname over the course of time. Early Origins of the Proto familyThe surname Proto was first found in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin), located in Southwest Wales, one of thirteen historic counties and presently one of the principal area in Wales, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Proto familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Proto research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Proto History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Proto Spelling VariationsThere are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Proto have included Protheroe, Prytherch, Prothers, Rhydderch and others. Early Notables of the Proto familyMore information is included under the topic Early Proto Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Proto RankingIn the United States, the name Proto is the 17,600th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Proto familyDuring the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Proto: Elizabeth Protheroe who settled in Virginia in 1663; Thomas Prothers settled in Barbados in 1679 with his servants; Sylvanus Prytherow settled in New England in 1762..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Proto (post 1700) | + |
- John Proto, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1956 2
- Benjamin Proto, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 2008 2
- Anton Proto, American politician, Mayor of Nogales, Arizona, 1894-95 2
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: Deus pascit corvos
Motto Translation: God feeds the ravens.
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