UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English verb meaning "to talk idly or foolishly".
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Prate surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Weston, St Margaret Westminster and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prate is 155 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.2%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
155 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Prate surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Prate surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 72 | #20,720 |
| 1861 | historical | 155 | #14,881 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 13 | #32,172 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Weston, St Margaret Westminster, St Pancras, Walton, West and Budleigh, East. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weston | Norfolk |
| 2 | St Margaret Westminster | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Walton, West | Cambridgeshire |
| 5 | Budleigh, East | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Prate surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Prate, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Prate surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Prate household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Prate is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Prate is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Prate, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Prate is believed to have originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "prat" or the Old English word "prett," both of which refer to a meadow or a small field.
One of the earliest documented references to the surname Prate can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1230, where a person named William Prate is mentioned. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273 contain a record of a man named Robert le Prate.
The surname Prate is closely associated with various place names across England, particularly in counties such as Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire. For instance, the village of Prating in Essex was once known as "Prate's Ing," which translates to "Prate's meadow."
Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Prate throughout history is William Prate, a merchant and alderman who lived in the city of Bristol during the late 14th century. He was a prominent figure in the local community and served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1385.
Another historical figure was John Prate, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived in the 16th century. He was born in Wiltshire around 1510 and later became a fellow at Oxford University, where he gained recognition for his contributions to the study of theology and philosophy.
In the 17th century, Thomas Prate (1617-1687) was a prominent English clergyman and author. He served as the Archdeacon of St. Albans and published several works on religious subjects, including a renowned treatise on the Book of Revelation.
During the 18th century, Sarah Prate (1728-1798) was a notable figure in the field of education. She established a successful school for girls in London and was recognized for her innovative teaching methods and dedication to educating young women.
Another significant figure was Richard Prate (1784-1862), who was a renowned engineer and inventor. He was born in Gloucestershire and is credited with several important contributions to the field of industrial machinery, including the development of a groundbreaking steam engine design.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prate surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 23 Prates recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 23 | 17.43x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 2.05x |
| Lancashire | 8 | 1.06x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.59x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 1.87x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 2.31x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.80x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.91x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.46x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.42x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.63x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.16x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Littleham in Devon leads with 13 Prates recorded in 1881 and an index of 1354.17x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Littleham | 13 | 1354.17x |
| East Budleigh | 9 | 1451.61x |
| Widnes | 8 | 147.33x |
| Lambeth | 7 | 12.66x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 4 | 79.84x |
| St George Hanover | 4 | 48.37x |
| Westminster St John | 4 | 51.81x |
| Bethnal Green London | 3 | 10.89x |
| Warblington | 3 | 576.92x |
| Altofts | 1 | 144.93x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.27x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 27.70x |
| Clapham | 1 | 12.61x |
| Devonport | 1 | 65.79x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 8.67x |
| Peatling Parva | 1 | 3333.33x |
| St Botolph Aldersgate | 1 | 136.99x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.96x |
| Woodford | 1 | 70.42x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Prate surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Prate surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Prate households.
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Prate surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Prate a modern rank of #37,967.
A surname derived from the Middle English verb meaning "to talk idly or foolishly".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Prate bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.