Surname Prewiett - Meaning and Origin
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Prewiett: What does the surname Prewiett mean?
The surname Prewiett is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name Prewiett is derived from the Old French "preued," meaning "priest" or "cleric," and is thought to be an occupational surname for a priest.
In the Middle Ages, priests and clerics served a vital role in society. They were often responsible for recording and maintaining records of land transactions, as well as other important affairs such as marriages and settlements. This important role in the community likely gave rise to the name Prewiett.
The first record of the surname Prewiett was in the parish of St Martin Ironmonger Lane in London. This was a common destination for visitors in the Middle Ages and the name may have been adopted by travelers who stopped there. The earliest traceable instance of the name was a Johannes Preweitt, listed as residing in the same area in the late 1200s.
Throughout recorded history, the name Prewiett has been found in Britain and other parts of the world. It is most common in England, where it was first recorded, and Ireland. In North America the surname is found in the United States and Canada and is sometimes anglicized as Pruett.
The Prewiett surname is an ancient and distinguished one, having endured for nearly 800 years. It is a reminder of the important role priests and clerics played in shaping history.
Order DNA origin analysisPrewiett: Where does the name Prewiett come from?
The last name Prewiett is most commonly found in the United States today, particularly in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas and New York, as well as in California, Georgia, and Massachusetts. This surname may have originated in England, as there are currently 14 listings for the Prewiett surname on the United Kingdom’s National Trust historic sites. In terms of population, the largest number of Prewietts currently living in the United States is in Texas, while Ohio and Illinois follow closely behind.
The Prewiett surname dates back to the 13th century in England. It is derived from a Norman surnames' Preuet,' originally from the French word 'preux' which translates to 'valiant' or 'brave in battle.' The name was originally given as a name of honor for those who fought exceptionally well in the Crusades.
The earliest recorded example of the Prewiett surname appears in the 12th century in the County of Yorkshire, England. This surname is also found in records as far back as the year 1430 in Northumbria, England.
While Prewiett is a fairly rare name, there have been an increasing number of Prewiett families appearing in the US in recent years. The origin of the Prewiett surname may no longer be a mystery, but the stories and accomplishments of those who use it today still remain to be discovered.
Variations of the surname Prewiett
The surnames Prewiett (Prewitt) and Preuit (Priest) are derived from the Old French word “prest”, meaning “priest”. Thus both surnames denote a person who was once a clergyman or churchman. Other variants of the surname include Prewitt, Pritt, Pretty, Pratt, Prat, Preus, Preuss, Preust and Prye.
However, the spelling of “Prewiett” indicates a specific line of the Preuit family that originated in France. This particular spelling was first recorded in Paris in the 13th century and is likely a French variation of the surname. It is believed to have originated due to a misspelling of the English surname “Preyt”.
The Preuit family was prominent in France until King Louis XIV revoked much of their power in the late 17th century, leading to their spread throughout Europe and even to the United States.
Since then, many of the Prewiett family have settled in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. In these countries, numerous variations of the original spelling have been recorded including Prowitt, Prute, Perwith, Pret, Prott, Preuitt, Pruett, and Privest.
Though all of these surnames are derived from the same French term, the spelling variations indicate where in Europe the family settled or even that this is an adopted name. It is important to note that each of these spellings and surname variants carry their own individual history of the Preuit family as it spread throughout Europe to the present day.
Famous people with the name Prewiett
- Lloyd Prewitt: Former NFL player and three-time All-American at the University of Kentucky.
- Judith Prewitt: American bobsledder who represented the United States in three Winter Olympics.
- Del Prewitt: Major League Baseball player who appeared in 363 games for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants.
- Eugene Prewitt: Award-winning poet and educator who wrote The Big Man Lake, a work of fiction set in the hills of Tennessee.
- Bill Prewitt: Retired NFL player who played as an outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks.
- Carl Prewitt: American sculptor whose works have been featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian Institution.
- Alice Prewitt: Award-winning filmmaker whose works include The Eyes and the Mockery of Angels and Southland Diaries.
- Jasper Prewitt: British actor who had an extensive career, appearing in such films and television series as Return to Oz, The War of the Worlds, and Doctor Who.
- Barbara Prewitt: Musician and record producer who was the VP of A&R at Arista Records and worked with stars such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Sarah McLachlan.
- George Prewitt: American track and field athlete who set the school record in the mile run at Georgia Tech and was the first African-American runner to attend the school.