Prendergast is a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

and

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

surname.

Etymology

This

toponymic surname A toponymic surname or topographic surname is a surname derived from a place name.

may derive from ''prender'' from a Germanic word for fire or conflagration (cf. brand) where the ''b'' became ''p'' due to

fortition Fortition, also known as strengthening, is a consonantal change that increases the degree of stricture. It is the opposite of the more common lenition. For example, a fricative or an approximant may become a stop (i.e. becomes or becomes ). Al ...

and ''gast'' (cf.

geest Geest is a type of landform, slightly raised above the surrounding countryside, that occurs on the plains of Northern Germany, the Northern Netherlands and Denmark. It is a landscape of sandy and gravelly soils formed as a glacial outwash plai ...

) from a germanic word for wasteland or dry and infertile land meaning the location could have been a burn-beat area. Others think the name is a Saxonized form of Bryn y Gest from the Welsh bryn meaning hill and gest a

lenition In linguistics, lenition is a sound change that alters consonants, making them more sonority hierarchy, sonorous. The word ''lenition'' itself means "softening" or "weakening" (from Latin 'weak'). Lenition can happen both synchronic analysis, s ...

of ''cest'' which means belly or swelling or a deep glen between two mountains having but one opening. It could also lessly come from Pren-dwr-gwest, the inn by the tree near the water. The right etymology is probably Pen-dre-gast. The suffix ast (cf. gast) is of Welsh origin like the names of the

cromlech A cromlech (sometimes also spelled "cromleh" or "cromlêh"; cf Welsh ''crom'', "bent"; ''llech'', "slate") is a megalithic construction made of large stone blocks. The word applies to two different megalithic forms in English, the first being an ...

chamber tomb A chamber tomb is a tomb for burial used in many different cultures. In the case of individual burials, the chamber is thought to signify a higher status for the interred than a simple grave. Built from rock or sometimes wood, the chambers could ...

of Penllech yr Ast (''the chief slab of the bitch'') or Llech-yr-ast (''Bitch's stone''), in

Llangoedmor Llangoedmor is a village 2 miles east of Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales. It is also the name of a community Council which encompasses Llechryd, Pant-gwyn, Ceredigion, and Neuadd Wilym. Llangoedmor ( cy, the church the great wood), is derived fro ...

, Cardiganshire or Gwâl y Filiast (''Lair of the Greyhound Bitch'') or Carn Nant-yr-ast or Llety'r Filiast or Twlc y Filiast. Alternatively, the name may come from a lost Flemish settlement near Ghent, known as Brontegeest. Pembrokeshire had a significant Flemish population by the twelfth century.

People with the name

* Catherine Prendergast, American scholar and intellectual historian * Charles Prendergast (1863–1948), Canadian-American artist *

Declan Prendergast Declan Prendergast (born 4 October 1981) is an Irish hurler who played as a left wing-back at senior level for the Waterford county team. Prendergast joined the team during the 2001 National League and was a regular member of the starting fi ...

(born 1981) Irish hurler *

Edmond Francis Prendergast Edmond Francis Prendergast (May 3, 1843 – February 26, 1918) was an Irish-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the third Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1911 until his death in 1918. Biography Edmond Prendergast was born in Clonmel ...

(1843–1918), Irish-born Roman Catholic prelate and Archbishop of Philadelphia, who gave misname to

Archbishop Prendergast High School Archbishop Prendergast High School was an all-girl Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It has been merged with Monsignor Bonner High School and renamed. It is located in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. The school is ...

in Philadelphia, U.S *

Frank Prendergast Francis Joseph Prendergast (13 July 1933 – 19 February 2015) was an Irish lecturer and Labour Party politician who served for four years in Dáil Éireann, as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick East. He also served two terms as Mayor of Limer ...

(1933–2015), Irish politician *

George Prendergast George Michael "Mick" Prendergast (20 May 1854 – 28 August 1937) was an Australian politician who served as the 28th Premier of Victoria. He was born to Irish emigrant parents in Adelaide, but he grew up in Stawell, Victoria. He was apprent ...

(1854–1937), Australian politician, 28th Premier of Victoria * George C. Prendergast (born 1961), American oncologist and biomedical scientist *

Guy Prendergast (British Army officer) Guy Lenox Prendergast (c. 8 July 1905 – 6 October 1986) was an English Saharan explorer, and British Army soldier in World War II. He was the commanding officer of the Long Range Desert Group from 1941 to 1943. Early life Guy Lenox Prenderga ...

(1905–1986), British Army brigadier and Saharan explorer *

Harry Prendergast General Sir Harry North Dalrymple Prendergast, (15 October 1834 – 24 July 1913) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of British ...

(1834–1913), British Army general, recipient of the Victoria Cross *

Ian Prendergast Ian Prendergast (born 2 September 1980) is an Australian rules footballer who played senior professional football with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League, and currently serves as the club's Chief Commercial Officer and ...

(born 1980), Australian rules footballer * James Prendergast (disambiguation) * John Prendergast (disambiguation) *

Kathleen Prendergast Kathleen Laura Prendergast M.R.C.S. (19 November 1910 – 1 June 1954) was an Australian paleontologist, who later retrained as a doctor and was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps. She was appointed as Regimental Medical Officer to th ...

(1910–1954), Australian paleontologist and physician *

Kerry Prendergast Dame Kerry Leigh Prendergast (née Ferrier, born 28 March 1953) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 33rd Mayor of Wellington between 2001 and 2010, succeeding Mark Blumsky. She was the second woman to hold the position, after Fran Wil ...

(born 1953), New Zealand politician *

Kieran Prendergast Sir Walter Kieran Prendergast (born 2 July 1942) is a British retired diplomat who was Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the United Nations. Prendergast was born in Campbeltown, Scotland, and received his education at St Patrick's ...

(born 1942), British diplomat and former Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the United Nations *

Mark Prendergast Mark Prendergast is a Scottish film, television and theatre actor. He's best known for his roles in BBC drama series Case Histories, US TV series Outlander and the BAFTA winning feature film '' Running in Traffic''. On stage, Prendergast's ...

, Scottish 21st century actor *

Mark Prendergast (hurler) Mark Prendergast (born 1978) is an Irish hurler who played as a right wing-back for the Cork senior team. Born in Cork, Prendergast first played competitive hurling whilst at school at St. Finbarr's College. He arrived on the inter-county sce ...

(born 1978), Irish hurler * Mark Prendergast, guitarist for the Irish band

Kodaline Kodaline () are an Irish rock band. Originally known as 21 Demands, the band adopted their current name in 2012 to coincide with the changing of their music. The group comprises Steve Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Vincent May and Jason Boland. Ga ...

Maurice Prendergast Maurice Brazil Prendergast (October 10, 1858 – February 1, 1924) was an American artist who painted in oil and watercolor, and created monotypes. His delicate landscapes and scenes of modern life, characterized by mosaic-like color, are ...

(1858–1924), American painter *

Maurice de Prendergast Maurice de Prendergast was a Norman knight, fl. 1169–1174. Maurice was from Prendergast, now in Haverfordwest, Wales, and was hired in 1169 by the ruler of the Irish kingdom of Osraige, Domnall Mac Gilla Pátraic, to resist the Leinster king, ...

(), Norman knight * Mick Prendergast (1950–2010), English footballer *

Mike Prendergast Michael Prendergast may refer to: * Michael Prendergast (songwriter), American songwriter and producer * Michael Prendergast (MP) (died 1834), Irish politician * Mike Prendergast (rugby union) (born 1977), Irish rugby union coach and player * Mi ...

(born 1977), Irish rugby union footballer *

Mike Prendergast (baseball) Michael Thomas Prendergast (December 15, 1888 – November 18, 1967) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. His nickname during his playing years was "Iron Mike". Mike was born in Arlington, Illinois to parents, Jeremiah Prendergast and Cather ...

(1888–1967), American Major League Baseball pitcher *

Orla Prendergast Orla Patricia Prendergast (born 1 June 2002) is an Irish cricketer who plays for Dragons and Ireland. In August 2019, she was named in the Irish Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) squad for the 2019 Netherlands Women's Quadrangular Series. S ...

(born 2002), Irish woman cricketer *

Paddy Prendergast (racehorse trainer) Patrick Joseph Prendergast (1910–1980), known as Paddy "Darkie" Prendergast was an Irish trainer of racehorses. He won seventeen Irish classics and became the first Irish trainer to have a major impact on British flat racing. He trained t ...

(1910–1980), Irish trainer *

Paddy Prendergast (hurler) Patrick Prendergast (born 1958) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a full-back and as a left wing-back for the Kilkenny senior team. Born in Clara, County Kilkenny, Prendergast first played competitive hurling during his schooling at ...

(born 1958), Irish hurler *

Patrick Prendergast (academic) Patrick J. Prendergast FIEI, MRIA, FREng is an engineer, specialised in bioengineering, and held a named professorial chair and other senior roles prior to his serving as the 44th Provost of Trinity College Dublin, the university's chief offic ...

, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin * Patrick Prendergast (abbot) (c. 1741–1829), last Abbot of Cong and guardian of the Cross of Cong * Patrick Eugene Prendergast (1868–1894), American assassin of Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison Sr. * Paudie Prendergast (born 1960), Irish hurler *

Peter Prendergast (artist) Peter Prendergast (27 October 1946 – 14 January 2007) was a Welsh landscape painter. After the death of Sir Kyffin Williams in September 2006, he was recognised/known as the leading landscape painter in Wales. Early years Prendergast was born ...

(1946–2007), Welsh artist * Peter Prendergast (hurler) (), Irish hurler *

Peter Prendergast (referee) Peter Prendergast (born September 23, 1963) is a football (soccer), football referee from Jamaica. A FIFA referee since January 1, 1994, his first international match was USA men's national soccer team, USA against Republic of Ireland national foo ...

(born 1963), Jamaican football referee *

Robert Prendergast Admiral Sir Robert John Prendergast Order of the Bath, KCB (9 July 1864–14 May 1946) was a Royal Navy officer. Career The son of a Surgeon-General (United Kingdom), Surgeon-General occupying Ardfinnan Castle in Ireland, Prendergast entered ...

(1864–1946), British admiral * Séamus Prendergast (born 1980), Irish hurler *

Sharon Marley Sharon Marley Pendergast (born 23 November 1964) is a Jamaican singer, dancer, and curator. She is the biological daughter of Rita Marley and was adopted by Bob Marley when the two married. She was in the group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Maker ...

Prendergast (born 1964), Jamaican singer, dancer and curator, adopted daughter of Bob Marley *

Shaun Prendergast Shaun Prendergast (born 1958) is an English actor and writer. Career He was born in North Shields and holds a BA Hons from Bretton Hall College. He was an actor and playwright in residence for Northumberland Theatre Company before joining the ...

( Born 1958) British actor, playwright, screenwriter and novelist *

Segismundo Moret Segismundo Moret y Prendergast (2 June 1833 – 28 January 1913) was a Spanish politician and writer. He was the prime minister of Spain on three occasions and the president of the Congress of Deputies on two occasions. Biography Moret was bor ...

y Prendergast (1833–1913), Spanish politician, President of the Council of Ministers *

Terrence Prendergast Terrence Thomas Prendergast (born 19 February 1944) is a Canadian member of the Society of Jesus who is also a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and the Archbishop Emeritus of Ottawa-Cornwall. He was formerly an Auxiliary Bishop of the Ar ...

(born 1944), Archbishop of Ottawa *

Tessa Prendergast Marie Therese "Tessa" Prendergast (17 October 1928 – 9 July 2001), also known as Tessa Welborn, was a Jamaican actress, fashion designer, businesswoman, and socialite. A renowned beauty and movie starlet in the 1950s, she is best-remembered to ...

(1928–2001), Jamaican actress, fashion designer, businesswoman and socialite * Thomas Prendergast (disambiguation) *

Tom Prendergast (Laois footballer) Tom "Curley" Prendergast is a former Gaelic footballer with Laois. His inter-county career spanned 11 years (1976–87), although he missed out in 1985 when he signed off the panel. In 1986 Prendergast was a member of the National Football Leagu ...

(), Irish Gaelic football player *

William A. Prendergast William Ambrose Prendergast (May 25, 1867 – June 20, 1954) was an American businessman and politician from New York. Life Prendergast was born on May 25, 1867, in the East Side of New York City, New York, the son of Irish immigrants Lawr ...

(1867–1954), American businessman and politician

Variants

Variants of Prendergast include: Pender,

Pendergast Pendergast ( ga, de Piondárgas, ''Piondárgas'') is a Norman-Irish surname derived from Prendergast. Pendergast may refer to: *Aloysius Pendergast, character in novels by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. *Clancy Pendergast (born 1967), Americ ...

, Prandergast, Brandergast, Pendergrass,

Penders Penders is a heritage-listed holiday retreat at Haighs Road (within Mimosa Rocks National Park), Tanja, Bega Valley Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Roy Grounds and built from 1964 to 1980 by Hamish Ramsay and other local b ...

, Pendy, Pinder, Pinders, Pindy, Prender, Prendergrast, Prendergest, Prindergast, Pendergist and the (

Gaelicised Gaelicisation, or Gaelicization, is the act or process of making something Gaelic, or gaining characteristics of the ''Gaels'', a sub-branch of celticisation. The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group, traditionally viewed as having spread from Irel ...

) de Priondargás.

In Britain

The surname may be connected to one or more of three places in Britain: Prendergast, now a suburb of

Haverfordwest Haverfordwest (, ; cy, Hwlffordd ) is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire with a population of 14,596 in 2011. It is also a community, being the second most populous community in the county, ...

, Pembrokeshire, Wales; Prendergast, near

Solva Solva ( cy, Solfach) is a village, community and electoral ward in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The village comprises principally Lower Solva and Upper Solva. The community also includes Middle Mill and Whitchurch. Location Solva lies on the north ...

, also in Pembrokeshire, and; Prenderguest, near Ayton, Berwickshire, Scotland.

In Ireland

In Ireland, Prendergast is regarded as a

Hiberno-Norman From the 12th century onwards, a group of Normans invaded and settled in Gaelic Ireland. These settlers later became known as Norman Irish or Hiberno-Normans. They originated mainly among Cambro-Norman families in Wales and Anglo-Normans from ...

name and is usually derived from a 12th-century

Cambro-Norman Cambro-Normans ( la, Cambria; "Wales", cy, Normaniaid Cymreig; nrf, Nouormands Galles) were Normans who settled in South Wales, southern Wales, and the Welsh Marches, after the Norman invasion of Wales, allied with their counterpart families ...

knight,

, who was born in Pembrokeshire and came to Ireland with the Earl of Pembroke, Richard "Strongbow" de Clare. Many of Maurice de Prendergast's immediate descendants lived in

County Tipperary County Tipperary ( ga, Contae Thiobraid Árann) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary, and was established in the early 13th century, shortly after th ...

and southern

Mayo Mayo often refers to: * Mayonnaise, often shortened to "mayo" * Mayo Clinic, a medical center in Rochester, Minnesota, United States Mayo may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Mayo Peak, Marie Byrd Land Australia * Division of Mayo, an Aust ...

. Some assumed the name

Fitzmaurice Fitzmaurice is a Hiberno-Norman, Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman surname. It is patronymic as the prefix ''Fitz-'' derives from the Latin'' filius'', meaning "son of". According to Irish genealogist Edward MacLysaght: Fitzmaurice is uncommon a ...

at an early date and some of the Fitzmaurices were later known as MacMorris.

References