Surname Pringle - Meaning and Origin

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S. Pringle

Pringle: What does the surname Pringle mean?

Pringle is a Scottish surname with an uncertain exact origin, but it has been associated with the lands of Hoppringle or Hoppringhill, which are located south of Edinburgh, Scotland. The name itself is believed to have derived from the Middle English term "hop" and "pryngle" which might signify a hilly place. It could also be related to the Old English word "prynga" or "pringan," both of which mean to press, pierce, or compress - possibly also referring to a hilly or mountainous landscape. The Pringle family, as a Scottish clan, owned lands principally in the Scottish Borders for centuries. The surname Pringle was first recorded in the 13th century when Robert de Hoppryngil was a witness to a land charter in the year 1283. Notably, the Pringles were known as one of the famous 'riding clans', renowned for their defence and protection of the Scottish border. Today, individuals with the Pringle surname can be found worldwide, part of the broader Scottish diaspora.

Pringle: Where does the name Pringle come from?

The last name Pringle is most common in Scotland, particularly in the west and south-west of the country. The earliest recorded record of the name dates back to 1365, from the Ayrshire town of Galston.

As a Scottish clan, the Pringles primarily settled in the Lowlands of Scotland and held positions of influence in and around Royal Courts. They were known for their wise counsel and their loyalty to the Crown.

Today, the name is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom. The 1881 census reported that Pringle was the 61st most common name in Scotland, with a total of 16,007 people bearing the name. It has since dwindled in popularity since then but remains one of the more commonly seen Scottish surnames.

Outside of Scotland, Pringle is also relatively common in Canada and the United States, especially in the latter's north-eastern states. It is not the most popular name in either country, however, suggesting that the majority of Pringles today trace their roots back to the Lowlands of Scotland.

In recent times, the Pringle name has also begun to spread to other countries around the world, such as Australia, as descendants of the Scottish family have migrated outwards.

Variations of the surname Pringle

The Pringle surname has a variety of variant spellings, as well as other surnames of the same origin. Pringle is originally derived from the Old English pre-7th century personal name 'Pring', meaning "bold", "decisive" or euphemistically "forthright".

The most common variations of the Pringle name include Pringle, Prengle, Printgle, Prengel, Prengell, Pringlea, and Pringel.

Other variants of the Pringle surname include Printall, Printle, Pringlee, Pringleman, and Pringley.

The list of surnames of the same origin as Pringle is longer, including the Scottish surnames of Princell, Prynsell, Princeller, Printsell, and Prinsell.

Another related surname is Prinsloo, which is derived from the German-Dutch personal name Principal.

In Scotland, the variants of the Pringle surname may have been derived from a religious house known as the Priory of St. John of Pount of Pringle.

In Germany, there is a variant with the Pringel surname, and in Ireland there is the variation Printlee.

Additionally, the surname Pringle may have also originated from the Old French/Norman personal name Prins, meaning "Lion". This variant is more commonly found in Ireland, spelled as Printle or Printel.

Other surnames derived from Pringle include Ringel, Ringle, Ringler, Prinzler, and Printzel.

Overall, the Pringle surname is quite versatile, spanning over multiple different spellings and other surnames of similar origin. Whether through Scotland, Germany,or France, the name Pringle often has a unique meaning and origin that can be found through thorough family history research.

Famous people with the name Pringle

• Kole Pringle: American composer and musician
• Bradley Pringle: English cricketer
• David Pringle: British actor
• Alicia Pringle: Actress and singer
• John Pringle: Scottish doctor and scientist
• Richard Pringle: English international rugby union referee
• Luke Pringle: South African professional rugby union player
• Nikki Pringle: English professional footballer
• Jennie Pringle: British model, actress, and TV presenter
• Tiffany Pringle: American model and actress
• Edward Pringle: Canadian judge and politician
• Allie Pringle: American artist
• Valerie Pringle: Canadian media personality
• Mark Pringle: Hollywood child actor
• Karla Pringle: American college basketball coach
• Judy Pringle: English researcher
• Kathryn Pringle: British civil servant
• Alexander Pringle: Icelandic lawyer and diplomat
• C. E. Pringle: American poet and writer
• Chad Pringle: American singer, songwriter and musician

Other surnames

PringPringe