Prewitt
A surname most likely from a medieval French diminutive of a name beginning with Prew/Preu, though the exact source is not fully certain.
The #4,234 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 36,883 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is usually explained as coming from an older name or nickname element Prew/Preu, with the ending -itt reflecting a French diminutive form. In other words, it likely began as a “little Prew/Preu” or “descendant of Prew” type formation. The historical spelling evidence suggests a medieval French-looking form behind the English surname, but the precise root of Prew itself is not completely secure.
History
The cited historical form Pruet appears in 13th-century English records, which supports an early medieval presence in England. Later spellings such as Prewitt represent English development of the same name. The surname is now found chiefly in English-speaking countries, especially the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Harrison’s entry links Prewitt to a 13th-century Hundred Rolls form, showing how some modern surnames preserve very old medieval spellings in altered form.
From the historical record
“PREWETTl = Prew (q.v.) + the Fr. dim. PREWITT Jsuff. -rf. The form in our i3th-cent. Hundred- Rolls, Pruet, is the present French form. PRICE, v.Preeoe, Prees(e>. Madot [Madog] Ap-Ris, a.d. 1381. — Thierry,Co»g. de I' Angleterre, App. IL 27. Harry Ap-Rice, A.D. 1544.-^ PrivyPurseExp.^PrincessMaryiiBs.x6&\e;^y).”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)