PRENTICE
Prentice is a surname of English origin. It derives from the Middle English word prentis, meaning “apprentice”, and originally served as an occupational name for a person who was a learner or trainee in a skilled trade or craft during medieval times.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of London dated 1292, where it is shown as Thomas Prentys under the reign of King Edward the First, who ruled from 1272 to 1307.
In 1350 the Calendar of Letter Books of the City of London records a mercer named John King who was known by the nickname Prentiz; this attests to the use of the name as a familiar form. The name also appears in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” of the late 14th century: “A Prentys Whilom dwelt in our citee, And of a craft of vitaillers was he.”
During the early modern period the surname was recorded in both England and Scotland. Variants of the name that have survived include Prentis and Prentiss. The spelling Prentice remains the most common form today.
A coat of arms was granted to the Prentice family. The shield is divided per gyronny of eight azure and gold, with a silver chief that bears a fleur‑de‑lis between two crescents. The crest features an eagle displayed holding in its right claw a dagger, and in its left a pistol, all in proper colours.
One well‑documented marriage record is that of William Prentice and Alice Alsop, whose union was solemnised at St. Lawrence Jewry in London on 23 January 1547.
Typical given names associated with the Prentice surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Barbara
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Prentice in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Prentice are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Jammy Dodger.
There are approximately 6,268 people named Prentice in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,513th most common surname in Britain. Around 96 in a million people in Britain are named Prentice.
Surname type: Status name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Prentice
- Gordon Prentice - Politician
- Reg Prentice - Politician (1923 to 2001)
- Bridget Prentice - Politician
- David Prentice - Artist (1936 to 2014)
- Christopher Prentice - Diplomat
- John Prentice - Scottish football player and manager (1926 to 2006)
- Francis Prentice - Cricketer (1912 to 1978)
- Jimmy Prentice - South African golfer (1885 to 1915)
- George Prentice - (1871 to 1948)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.