Where Does the Prater Surname Come From?

Prater is a spelling of the English surname Prather. Its meaning, shared with Prather, is “Prater / ap Rhydderch”. Without the “h” of Prather, Prater is a simpler written form of the same name. Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms. You may also find the name written Praytor.

The 2010 census count for Prater in the United States was 19,484, good for rank 1,839.

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Prather surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. For the full story, order the Prater surname pack.