Find out how popular the last name Prevatt is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Prevatt.

Prevatt, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Prevatt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prevatt in America

Prevatt is the 19210th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prevatt surname appeared 1,413 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Prevatt.

We can also compare 2010 data for Prevatt to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Prevatt

The surname PREVATT is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Somerset and Devon, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "præfet" or "præfett," which referred to a person's occupation as a provost or bailiff, someone responsible for administering local affairs or managing estates.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Praepositus," a Latin variation of the Old English "præfet," indicating that individuals with this occupation were present in various parts of England during that time.

In the 13th century, records show individuals with the surname PREVATT residing in the village of Peover, located in the county of Cheshire. The name is believed to have evolved from the place name "Peover Prevatt," which translates to "the provost's village."

One notable historical figure bearing the PREVATT surname was Sir John Prevatt, born in 1450 in Somerset. He served as a member of the English Parliament during the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, representing the county of Somerset.

Another individual of note was Richard Prevatt, born in 1598 in Devon. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, known for his involvement in the local wool trade and his philanthropic efforts in supporting local churches and schools.

During the 17th century, the PREVATT surname appeared in various records, including parish registers and court documents, primarily in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cheshire. One notable entry is that of Thomas Prevatt, born in 1620 in Cheshire, who was a prominent farmer and landowner in the region.

In the 18th century, the spelling of the surname began to standardize, and it was frequently recorded as "Prevatt." One individual of note from this period was William Prevatt, born in 1712 in Somerset. He was a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the region.

As the name spread across England, it also found its way to other parts of the British Isles and, eventually, to various colonies and territories. John Prevatt, born in 1756 in Cheshire, was one of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname to emigrate to the American colonies, settling in Virginia in the late 18th century.

Throughout its history, the PREVATT surname has been associated with various occupations, from landowners and farmers to merchants and professionals. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread across the globe, carried by individuals and families who have contributed to the rich tapestry of human history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prevatt

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Prevatt.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Prevatt was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Prevatt has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Prevatt was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Prevatt, please contact us.

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