Surname Prat - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Unveiling Family History: A Journey into the Roots of My Surname 'Prat' through iGENEA DNA Analysis
A personal voyage embarked upon through iGENEA’s DNA analysis, aiming to trace the roots of my family name 'Prat'. Unfolding the veil of unknown ancestry, I discovered stories deeply ingrained in my bloodline. This journey has navigated me across centuries, reaffirming my identity and broadening my perception of my lineage.
Y. Prat
read morePrat: What does the surname Prat mean?
The surname Prat primarily originates in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, and southern France. It's derived from the Old Catalan "prat" meaning "meadow" or "field". This name is believed to have been given originally to people living near or working in a meadow. Over time, this geographic term evolved into a family name, representing a common trend in the evolution of surnames. The name Prat might also appear in local toponyms in Catalonia and France. It is also common in some Italian regions. Please note that in British English slang, the term "prat" is used derogatively to refer to a foolish person; however, this has no connection to the surname's origin or meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisPrat: Where does the name Prat come from?
The last name Prat is common in Spain and all across the Hispanic world, from Mexico to Colombia. It is also present in Portugal, Senegal and France. In the United States, Prat can be found mainly in California and Texas, as the largest concentration is among the Hispanic population. Historically, the surname Prat originated from northern Spain, in the region of Aragon. Statistics indicate that there are currently over 6,000 people with the last name Prat living in Spain.
The etymology of Prat explains the surname's wide geographical spread. “Prat” comes from the Latin word “pratum”, meaning meadow; it is also associated with “pratos”, meaning thicket or pasture. Thus, it is likely to represent the occupation of travelling shepherds, from Aragon or other parts of Spain, who wandered around searching for far-off meadows and pastures for their livestock.
As a result of its regional popularity and Latin origins, the last name Prat can be found all over the globe now. It is a popular surname, representing a long and interesting history.
Variations of the surname Prat
The surname Prat (also sometimes spelled Pratt) is an old French nickname surname dating back to the 11th century. It derives from the French word, prat, meaning 'meadow.' In France, the Prat surname is quite popular, and can be spelled a variety of ways. Some common variants and spelling changes of the Prat surname are Pratt, Praat, Prayt, Pret, Prate, Prett, Praet, Praett, Prayte, Prateau, Prette, Preti, Pretti, Prad, Pratte, Prät, Prätt, and Prétt.
Surnames derived from Prat can also include Prater, Pratorius, Pratz, Pretzer, Pretzen, Pretzman, Prairiee, Pretator, Prati, Pratley, Praterman, Pratka, Praitinger, Prang, Pruett, Prigge, and Priss.
The spelling Prat can also be found among Jewish surnames, which may have originated from the Yiddish phrase 'Payter,' meaning 'one who prays.' Therefore, similar Jewish-sounding surnames could include Payter, Pater, Patery, Puter, Puterer, Paytress, Putterer, Patchen, etc.
Prat is also a fairly common surname in India, where it is believed to have been brought by soldiers or officials from Europe during the 1600s. Common Indian surnames derived from the Prat surname are Pratap, Prasad, Pratihar, Pradhan, Prasu, Prabhu, Partap, Prasanna, Pratibha and Prasoon.
Finally, the Prat surname also appears in some Scandinavian countries, where it has evolved to Pratte, Prätte and Prätt.
Overall, the Prat surname is found in many countries across Europe, India and the United States, and has dozens of variants and derivations.
Famous people with the name Prat
- Leonardo Prat: an Argentine soccer player for C.A. Banfield.
- José María Prat: a former Salvadoran President and social activist.
- Shane Prat: a Canadian actor who's best known for his roles in the TV series Da Vinci's Inquest and The Crow.
- Cecilio Prat: a Chilean ski mountaineer.
- Roberto Prat: a Peruvian tennis player and coach.
- Pedro Prat: a former general manager of Spanish football club Valencia CF.
- Macedonio Prat: an Argentine writer who was also involved in politics.
- Deborah Prat: a French soprano and composer.
- Joaquín Prat: a Spanish former professional tennis player.
- Manuel Prat: a Chilean general and statesman who was the President of Chile from 1891 to 1896.