My name is Randy Pruett and I am the Site manager of this Web site. My genealogy research is focused on the following families: Pruett, Shanahan, Pruitt, Prewitt, CULPIf you wish to contribute genealogy information or send your feedback, please contact me here. Thank you for visiting!
About our family
The name, PRUETT, is spelled variously: Pruitt, Prewet, Prewitt, etc., all thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "Pryte", the meaning of which was: that of which is justly proud, self respect, etc. Bardsley's book gives the etymology of Bardsley's book gives the etymology' of Pruett as coming from Anglo'Saxon "P rut", meaning: Haughty or arrogant. It is interesting to note I hat in both England and America, the name is pronounced the same (Pru-itt) no matter how it is spelled.
Records of the family have been found in England as early as the 13th century. In England in 1202, Mathew Pet was listed in the "Pipe Rolls" (PH Reney, Diet of British Surnames, London. 1958. p 2S9) In U49, [( was found that William Pi-uwet and Adam, his son, did damage to the King's property in Winchester (Inquest Calendar, Vol ll.pl 27) On Dee 12.1Z51(The Feast ofSt Gregory), the Earl of Derby released Reginald Pmet and his issue and their lands and holdings from "servitutem" and made them freemen (Vol I, p. 327, Charter Rolls. Henry III) In 1273, An drew and William Pruet were mentioned in the "Hundred Rolls ofCambridge" In 1275, Henry Pruel was pardoned a twelve shillmr fine for contempt (Close Rolls. Edward I, p. 17S&520) In 127S. Hugh Pmet of Somerset went suretv for 40 Pounds (Westminister Record ofOct 23,1278) Tn 1317. Thomas Pruwet of Devon was mentioned in "Dwelly's Name Indices" On May 18. 1322 (Tuesday after Bamahas). at a council held at Old Sarum, Christiana Prewet sold land reserving a rent for her son, Nicholas (Close Roll Cal.p 62).
In 1327, Richard Pruet and Thomas Pruwet, both of Somerset, were mentioned in Dwelly's Names. In the Somerset Plea Rolls for Easter Term 4, Henry VI (1422-1461), Richard Pruet and Alice, his wife, sued John Seyntclere, the elder, for land and rents in Cruk and Eastham. In Feb. 1538, John Prewett received a A.B. Degree from the University of Oxford; became a fellow at Exter College in 1539, with a A.M. at the Michaelmas Term 1543. In 1552, John Pruet married Tamsen Smith at Stockland Gaunts in Somer-set (Boyd's Master Index). In 1558, two with the spelling Prewett were mentioned in the "Bristol Wills". There was a Prewet family in Hampton, Middlesex in 1600. In 1619, Thomas Pruet, and John and William Privett were listed as leaving Salisbury for Virginia (Parker's Bristol to America, p. 89 & 93). Ambrose Prewett witnessed a Will in 1619. In 1624, Stephen Pruet gave up rental of church land in West Monkton of Somerset (Weavers Somerset, p. 403). John Pruit of Somerset sued John Green in 1627 (Somerset Society, Vol. 24, p. 53). In 1636, two Pruets were buried from Covent and Benet Wharf in London.
