Surname Prater - Meaning and Origin

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R. Prater

Prater: What does the surname Prater mean?

Prater is a surname of Germanic and Anglo-Saxon origin and has several possible interpretations. One interpretation is that it stems from the Old German or Old English word "prater", meaning "boaster" or "braggart", so it may have been a nickname for someone who boasts a lot. Another possibility is that it originates from the word “preatere” which means “interpreter".

In some cases, the name Prater could also be of locative origin, referring to a geographic location or a place where a person lived or worked. There is a notable area in Vienna, Austria, known as "The Prater" which is a large public park. Those who lived by this area could have adopted Prater as a surname.

Additionally, in several German and Central European dialects, “Prater” or similar sounding words were used to denote meadow or pastureland (‘Prato’ in Italian, 'Pratum' in Latin), so it might also refer to someone who lived near or worked on such a terrain. Thus, the meaning of the last name Prater may largely depend on the cultural and historical context in which it was used.

Prater: Where does the name Prater come from?

The last name Prater is most commonly found in southeastern Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Croatia. It is possible that the original name may have been a term for a ‘praying man’, stemming from the old German word ‘prater’ which meant “to pray.”

Prater is also found in parts of England, Ireland, and the United States. In the US, the surname is most prevalent in the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia. Prater families are also found in parts of Mississippi, Texas, Connecticut, and Arkansas.

In the UK, Prater is most common in the English counties of Essex, Suffolk, Dorset and Somerset. In Scotland it can be found mainly on the island of Islay. In Ireland, Prater can be found principally in the county of Armagh.

Many of the families with the Prater surname originally came as refugees from southeastern Europe in the early-to-mid-1900s. This was especially true for people fleeing religious persecution in their homelands due to Nazi rule. As a result, there are now large numbers of Praters living in the UK, Ireland, and the United States.

The internet has had a huge impact on researching the Prater surname. Numerous websites are dedicated to genealogy and the family tree, with many providing information on the historical origins and movement of the Prater family. As a result, many Praters today have been able to discover more about their own family origins and legacy.

Variations of the surname Prater

Prater is an occupational surname derived from the Low German verb 'praeten', which means to pray or to preach. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Prater, Prator, Praetor, Preyter, Pratorius, Proter, Pratte, Praytor, Preater, Preator, Pretor, Pratorio, Pratres, and Pratrix.

The Prater surname originated from the rank of a high priest or magistrate in the clerical order of the priestly caste of ancient Rome. It was first recorded in a document issued by the Court of the Roman Empire in 855 AD. Over the centuries, the surname Prater spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. In the English language, it was often referred to as a 'prater', which means a preacher or speaker, or a 'preter', which means a priest or minister.

In Britain, the Prater surname is first recorded in the county of Wiltshire in 1222 AD, and later in the county of Lancashire in 1525 AD. The Prater surname is most common in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the United States. It is also found in Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries across the world.

In Germany, the Prater surname is found mainly in areas of Lower Saxony and Westphalia, where its variants 'Prator' and 'Pratorius' are also quite common. In France, variations of the Prater surname include 'Pratte', 'Praytor', and 'Preater'.

The Prater surname has produced many notable persons in history, including British members of parliament, clergymen, scientists, the composer John Prat

Famous people with the name Prater

• Marlin Prater: Marlin Prater was an American college basketball coach, best known for his six-year tenure at the University of Arkansas.
• Carter Prater: Basketball player, Carter Prater is a retired professional basketball player who represented the United States in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.
• Ernst Prater: Ernst Prater was a Swiss-American philosopher and theologian known for his role in the renewal of Protestant theology in the 1930s.
• Elmer Prater: Elmer Prater was a Major League Baseball player who had a brief career in the major leagues as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1910.
• Reba Prater: Reba Prater is an American athlete, former track and field Olympian, and silver medalist in the hammer throw in the 1984 Olympic Games.
• Bernard Prater: Bernard Prater is an American writer and director who has written and directed over 20 feature films and television shows including the hit series The O.C., based on his novel.
• Russell Prater: Russell Prater is an American singer-songwriter and composer known for his folk and country styles of music.
• Amber Prater: Amber Prater is an actress and model who is most notable for her leading role on the television series The Young and The Restless.
• Penny Prater: Penny Prater is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for her work, including her vocals, in alternative rock band, Nothingface.
• David Prater: David Prater is an American politician who served as the mayor of Plano, Texas from 1988 to 2012.

Other surnames

Comments or additions to the name "Prater"

29.01.2024
My name is Jerry Prater Sr I've noticed that everything I do and I put my mind to,I become good skilled at.Therefore saying,I do come from a rather strong heritage,tank God,and God bless the Prater's...