Prosser Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Prosser Origin:

England, Wales, Germany

Origins of Prosser:

The surname of Prosser is said to have derived from an English personal name, which itself derived from an Old Germanic personal name. The surname itself is a variation of the English personal given name of Roger, which derived from the Old Germanic personal given name of “Hrothgar.” This Old Germanic personal name itself derived from the word of “hroth” which can be translated to mean “fame” and the addition of the element of “gar,” which can be translated to mean “spear.” Thus, the literal translated of the surname of Prosser is “famous spear.” The surname of Prosser was originally given as a nickname. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the case of the surname of Prosser, the original bearers would have been able to wield a spear with expertise, and would have been famous warriors. It is important to note that in the Welsh sound system, there is no sound of “j” so in the name of Roger, the sound would have been replaced with an “s” sound, making the name Roger as Rosser, which is where the derivation of Prosser originated from.

Variations:

More common variations are: Prossor, Proesser, Prossere, Prousser, Perosser, Proser, Prossr, Prossor, Prossar, Presser

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Prosser can be traced to the country of England. One person by the name of John Roser, who was mentioned in the document known as the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in the year of 1273. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Edward I of England, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as “The Hammer of the Scots.” King Edward I of England was such named because of the hardships and horrors that he enacted upon the people of Scotland during his reign. King Edward I of Scotland ruled from the year of 1272 to the year of 1307. Other mentions of the surname of Prosser within the country of England include one Richard Rosser, who was wed to one Susan Avery in the year of 1630, at St. Dustan’s which is located in Stepney.

United States of America:

The United States of America was an attractive place to move to in the 17th and 18th centuries. European citizens began to migrate to the United States, which at that time was referred to as The New World or The Colonies, in search of a better life for them and their families. Among those who migrated to America in the European Migration was one Jane Prosser, who settled in the state of Virginia in the year of 1628, making her the first person to be recorded to bear the surname of Prosser in America.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Prosser: United States 9,266; England 5,576; Australia 2,328; Canada 1,984; Wales 1,659; South Africa 621; Austria 524; New Zealand 407; Scotland 400; Chile 324; Germany 235

Notable People:

Major-General Walter Evans Prosser (1882-1981) who served as the Commanding General in the Central Signal Unit Training Center in the year of 1945, and who was from America.

David Prosser Jr. (born in 1942) who served as the Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and who was from America.

William Farrand Prosser (1834-1911) who served as a Member of the Tennessee State Legislature, and who also served as a U.S. Representative from the state of Tennessee in the 5th District from the year of 1869 to the year of 1871, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Joseph F. Prosser, who served as the Postmaster at Cleveland, Ohio in the year of 1949 to the year of 1954, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

George Henry Prosser (born in 1867) who served as a U.S. Consular Agent in Adelaide from the year of 1907 to the year of 1911, and who was a politician from America.

Earl W. Prosser, who served as a Member of the Michigan Prohibition Party State Central Committee in the year of 1947, and who was a politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Ermine on a chief vert three wheatsheaves ar. Crest—On a mount a horse bridled at full speed all proper.