Genetics - Prettyman

* The origins for the surnames above are provided by: Dictionary of American Family Names, by Hanks. The DAFN surname entries are structured to provide the surname (with alternate spellings), a comparative frequency of the surname in the U.S., the source language and origin of the surname, original spelling, typology, etymology and, in some cases, an identification of forebears.

Rev. Edward Cannon Prettyman developed the following article (in 1968) concerning the probable origin and meaning of the surname PRETTYMAN (modified here for clarity).

The name Prettyman has intrigued many people. The earliest appearance of the name was in Bacton, Suffolk County England in 1361 where it is stated that John Pratyman owned land. [Note: Bacton Manor is of considerable antiquity. This manor was mentioned in detail in the literature of the time of King Edward, the Confessor, who died in 1066.]

Ferguson in his book Teutonic Names states that the name Prettyman probably is derived from "Brito" or "Le Brita": brito to break or Brita a ruler. Often the German 'B' at the beginning of a name when changed to English becomes a 'P'. Hence, he reasoned, Prette or Preto, with the suffix man became Preteman and later Pretyman.

Another writer asserts the name Prettyman is probably derived from the French, 'Belle Hommes', meaning Pretty-man.

Another author, Nuttal, provides an Anglo-Saxon theory that the name Prettyman is derived from 'Praete', meaning ornate or from 'Praetig', meaning clever.

Perhaps the best theory and probably the true one is advanced by the late William Pretyman, who until his death, was the family historian in England. In his book Prettyman of Bacton, Suffolk, he takes the ground that the name has no connection with the accepted meaning of the word 'Pretty', but that its root is in the Latin word 'Pratum', meaning meadow. In a most scholarly article of some length William Pretyman provides historical data for his belief. Briefly, he says; "That in the earliest records the spelling of the name was Pratyman. The last member of the family who wrote his name thus was William Pratyman, of Bacton, lord of that manor, who died in 1594, since then the family have written their name 'Pretyman', dropping the 'a' for the 'e', in accordance with the custom." Many English families made that change in honor of Queen Elizabeth. He contends that "from their earliest records to the present time in England, the name has been spelled with but one 't' and never with two, except when incorrectly written." Pratyman mentions a certain Henry Atta Mede (Meadow), who in 1272, in the body of two deeds writes his name as Henry Atta Mede, but his seal to one of the deeds bears the legend: "Sig: Henrici de Pratis," the Latinized form of his name.

The author of the book, The Norman People, states that the name Praty is from the Norman 'de Pratis" which was later changed to 'Praty'. This theory was accepted by Mr. Pretyman, the historian.

In 1159, there was a William de Pratis, living in Suffolk County and a Jordan de Pratis at an even earlier date in the same county. In 1397 in the same county was Thomas Praty, Simon de Pratis and William Pratyman and his two sons, Stephen and William.

In the nearby county of Essex, there was a bishop Praty (1430-46). In 1540-8, there was a Rector by the name of Rev. William Praty, sometimes spelled 'Pratye'.

William Pretyman, the historian proves from records that in early times in Suffolk County, that the suffix 'man' added to family names was very rare, but by 1340 family names ending thus were numerous. There came a time in England when some families began to change their names by adding prefixes or suffixes. Two of these suffixes were 'er and 'man'. If the householder dwelt in a meadow, he might be Robert Field or Robert Fieldman. Other examples were Churcher and Churchman, Bridger and Bridgeman.

Rev. Edward Cannon Prettyman concludes by saying, "It is a natural conclusion that some branches of the family of Praty added the suffix 'man', becoming Pratyman, while others did not do so, preferring to remain Praty.

SPELLING or NAME VARIATIONS

Praty, Pretty, Pratyman, Pretyman, Prettyman

SOUNDEX CODES

Prettyman (P - rtm) = P - 635

P - 635 also codes for Parten, Parton, Portwine, Purdom and Pridemore.

Guide to Soundex Code System

GENEALOGICAL REFERENCES

LDS - International Genealogical Index

U.S. Population Census

The Prettyman Family in England & America, 1631 - 1968
by Reverend Edgar Cannon Prettyman (1968)

PRETTYMAN PROGENITORS

John Prettyman (c 1608 - 1687)
(Bacton, Suffolk, England Prettyman Progenitor)
(U.S. Prettyman Immigrant)
ò
John Prettyman, Jr. (c 1635 - 1724)
(Virginia/Delaware Prettyman Progenitor)
ò
John Prettyman, III (c 1678 - 1745)
William Prettyman (c 1679 - 1742)
Robert Prettyman (1683 - 1720)
Thomas Prettyman (1685 - 1719)

GENETIC TESTING RESULTS