Surname Prato - Meaning and Origin
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Prato: What does the surname Prato mean?
Prato is an Italian surname that translates to "meadow" or "field" in English. It originates from the Italian city of Prato in the Tuscany region, suggesting that the first people to use this name could have been residents or natives of this city. Like many other surnames, Prato might have also been used to indicate someone’s occupation or geographical location. Thus, it could refer to a person who works in a meadow or field, or someone who lives near or at such a location. Lastly, Prato could have been associated with a family that owned large meadows or fields. However, without specific genealogical research, it's hard to determine the exact origin of the surname for a specific individual or family. Bear in mind that the meaning and origin of surnames can vary greatly, even among people who share the same last name.
Order DNA origin analysisPrato: Where does the name Prato come from?
The last name Prato appears to originate from Italy and is still very common there today. Prato is a Tuscan city, located in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy. It was an important center for the weaving of woollen cloth, which made it a prosperous town in the Middle Ages. As a result, the Prato surname has spread across Italy and can also be found in the region of Emilia-Romagna. It's also occasionally found in other areas in Europe, such as Croatia, France, and Germany. In the United States, the census in 2000 recorded 1,077 people with the last name Prato, most of whom were located in the states of Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. That number has likely grown since then. Interestingly, Prato is the name of a city in Brazil, though the Brazilian last name Prato appears to be quite rare.
Overall, the surname Prato remains fairly common in its native Italy, often seen in Tuscany as well as Emilia-Romagna and other parts of the country. It has also spread to other parts of Europe, and has become more visible in the United States in recent decades.
Variations of the surname Prato
The surname Prato is of Italian origin and is derived from the Italian city of the same name. Common variants of Prato include Pratto, Praetorius, Pratolungo, Pratolino, Pratesi and Prater. Variations in spelling often occur due to the phonetic nature of language and may include Prat, Praat, Pratt, Pratte, Pratty, Patrick, Pretto, Prett and Prette.
The surname Pratto is believed to have originated from the Italian word of the same name, meaning "plain". This signifies that the bearer of the name derived from a lower-class family who lived a simple and unadorned life. Through early Italian records, it is likely that the Pratto family was indigenous to the city of Prato in Tuscany, Italy, where records of the name are found dating as far back as the 12th century.
The Pratto family later spread across Europe, eventually taking roots in France, England, and other parts of the continent and later to the United States. Common variants of the Pratto name were also found in the form of Praetorius in eastern Germany, Pratolungo in Italy, Pratolino in Sicily, and Pratesi in Switzerland.
In the United States, variations of the surname Prato can be found in the form of Prat, Pratt, Pratte, Prate, Prater, Patrick, Pretto, Prett and Pratty. The surname is still used today throughout the country in various spellings.
Famous people with the name Prato
- Jada Prato: US model and television personality
- Evelina Prato: Italian artist, sculptor and poet
- Enzo Prato: Italian cinematographer
- Florence Prato: French film director
- Veronica Prato: Brazilian actress
- Davide Prato: Italian former professional footballer
- Michael Prato: US rapper and musician
- Phil Prato: US biologist and viral infection expert
- Quiterio Prato: Argentine former professional rugby union player 10.Robert Prato: Italian student and entrepreneur