Surname Pricket - Meaning and Origin

Pricket: What does the surname Pricket mean?

The last name Pricket is of English origin and is believed to be an occupational surname derived from the Anglo-Norman French language. It is thought that the name Pricket comes from the term "prichet," meaning pickaxe or mattock. The mattock was a common tool used by farmers and miners, as it was versatile and could be used for numerous tasks. In the Middle Ages and beyond, it was frequently used to loosen the earth, to shape trenches, and to dig out tree roots.

The Norman French term is thought to come from the Proto-Germanic root “prikan” which means to dig or probe. Thus, the surname Pricket can be interpreted as someone who was a skilled digger, miner or farmer.

In England and Scotland, the Pricket surname was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. This is a part of the history of a noble and distinguished family.

The family motto is “Pride In Workmanship”. This demonstrates the Prickets’ belief in hard work, diligence and a strong respect for craftsmanship.

Through centuries of hard work and perseverance, the Prickets have made a name for themselves as a hardworking and reliable family. This is reflected in their motto, and is also seen in other areas of their lives.

The Prickets have a rich history, and their surname continues to this day as a testament to this. It is a reminder that through hard work and dedication, you can overcome any difficulty in life and achieve greatness.

Pricket: Where does the name Pricket come from?

The last name Pricket is not particularly common today. It has its roots in the Middle Ages when the name was used as a nickname for someone who made arrows. The name first originated in the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland which are in modern-day Cumbria in England. The name eventually spread to other parts of the United Kingdom as people left their home areas to find work in the ever-expanding cities.

Today, the prevalence of Pricket as a surname is much diminished since its peak in the 19th century. A search of the 1911 UK census found only 1,107 records for Pricket as a surname which was a minuscule proportion of the total population which was roughly 37 million at the time. Searching for Pricket as a surname across modern online genealogy databases shows only a few results in the United Kingdom and even more sparsely located in the United States. It is likely that there are more Prickets out there but their numbers are so small that it is difficult to trace their origins and find out the full extent of their global distribution.

Variations of the surname Pricket

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pricket are Prickett, Prikett, and Prykett.

Pricket, Prickett, Prikett, and Prykett all derive from the surname Prickard/Prichard. Prickard derived from the medieval given name “Prictheard”, which is an Anglicized form of Welsh “ap Richard”, i.e. the son of Richard. “Prykett“ was first recorded in the 13th Century; and “Pryket” in 1379. Prickett/Pricket is found in various English and Scottish records.

Prickett/Pricket, Prikett, and Prykett are all forms of the same surname, and variations evolved over time, either through misspellings or as a result of different regional accents and dialects. In Scotland, for example, Prickett evolved into Pricket, while in England it became Prickett. In some cases, “Prykett” is also associated with “Pryke”. In Scotland, “Pryke” (also known as “Pryor”) often appears in records as an alternative spelling of Prickett/Pricket.

The variants of Prickett/Pricket found in English and Scottish documents from the 16th to the 18th centuries are Prickett, Pryckett, Pryckit, Pryket, Pryker, Prykett, Prykette, Prykett, Pricket, Priket, and picket. Many of these variants were interchangeable. The change in spelling was influenced by the specific dialect in which the surname Pricket was pronounced in various places and at various times.

The surnames Prickett, Prikett, and Prykett all share the same origin, being derived from the Welsh patronymic “ap Richard”, meaning “son of Richard”; a surname which was Anglicized to “Prickard” and changed further to “Pricket” over time. Despite the various spellings and regional variations, the surname Pricket and its variants are all derived from the same source.

Famous people with the name Pricket

• Matthew Pricket: British lawyer, politician and MP for Wiltshire
• Anne Pricket: French actress of film, television and theater
• Doris Pricket: American botanist
• Lily Pricket: English model, television presenter and actress
• Elizabeth Pricket: British artist and filmmaker
• John Pricket: English architect and master mason
• Thomas Pricket: Irish-American immigration pioneer
• Robert Pricket: British composer and conductor
• William Pricket: British Bishop of Lincoln
• Jack Pricket: American professional basketball player

Other surnames

PrickettPrickitt