Surname Pridgen - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling My Ancestry: Insights from My iGENEA DNA Test on the Pridgen Surname

Venturing into the mysterious world of genetics, I uncovered exciting facets of my lineage, particularly tied to the surname Pridgen. My iGENEA DNA test results indicated a complex tapestry of ancestry, tying my family line to Western Europe, combined with unexpected links to Scandinavia and Central Asia, each providing a captivating tale of our ancestral journeys and encounters.

E. Pridgen

Pridgen: What does the surname Pridgen mean?

The surname Pridgen is of English origin and it is believed to be a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Roger. It is most likely a modification of the Middle English form "Progen" or "Prodgen", which comes from "Prodger" or "Proger", diminutives of the name Roger. The name Roger itself is of old Germanic origin, composed of the elements "hrod", meaning renown, and "geri", meaning spear.

These types of surnames originated from adding different suffixes to personal names, which enabled people to create a new name that can be passed from generation to generation.

Pridgen is a relatively rare surname, most common in the United States, particularly in the southeastern states. Many people with this surname can trace their origins back to England, from where their ancestors likely migrated in the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. It might have evolved considerably in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries.

The surname Pridgen, like many family names, is part of a rich tapestry of history and identity, providing a link to the past and the individual's ancestral roots.

Pridgen: Where does the name Pridgen come from?

The last name Pridgen is most commonly found in the southern United States, particularly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. It’s also quite common throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Additionally, the last name Pridgen is quite common in Louisiana. Pridgen is generally a name of African-American origin.

Interestingly, although Pridgen is an uncommon name in general, there are actually several towns and cities named Pridgen throughout the United States. In North Carolina, there is a town of Pridgen in the eastern part of the state. In South Carolina, there is an unincorporated community of Pridgen. And in Alabama, there is an unincorporated community of Pridgen.

More recently, the last name Pridgen has spread to other parts of the US, particularly in the Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast. Additionally, it can be found in a few places in Canada, as well as in other countries, such as Australia, Germany, and France.

Overall, the last name Pridgen is most commonly associated with the southeastern United States, though it has slowly been spreading to other regions throughout the country. Additionally, it can be found in a few other countries outside the United States.

Variations of the surname Pridgen

Pridgen is an English occupational surname and is likely to have derived originally from the Middle English phrase "prud man" or "proud man," wherein a "prud" was someone with a fierce temper who was willing to take quick and stern action. Variants of the Pridgen surname that may be encountered include Pridgeon, Pridgin, and Pridget. Spellings of the surname could include Pridgen, Pridgeon, and Pridget.

Variants and surnames of the same origin for Pridgen include Pritchard, Pritchett and Pritchella, which all likely derived from the Middle English term "proud." Other surnames of the same origin include Prodger, Proger, and Porger. Spellings of these surnames might also incorporate Prudie, Prudey, Prouder, Prudger, Prudy, and Prody.

In some cases, spellings of the name may have subsided or changed due to many generations of incorrect or corrupted recordings as a result of people like priests and scribes transcribing records incorrectly. For instance, Pridgen may have been spelled as Prodger, Prudger, or Pruder at some point.

It is likely that many different spellings exist today since the surname has been in the English language for more than a thousand years. It is also likely that there may be many other variant forms and spellings of this surname that have yet to be discovered.

Famous people with the name Pridgen

• Chris Pridgen: Singer-songwriter and guitarist for the post hardcore band Underoath
• Gralin Pridgen: American entrepreneur and the first CEO of Microsoft's MSN network
• Riley Pridgen: American marketing and media executive
• Eugene Pridgen: American musician, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with the group Arrested Development
• Michael Pridgen: Contemporary realist artist
• James Pridgen: American rock music producer and multi-instrumentalist
• Pauline Pridgen: Civil rights activist and businesswoman
• Lawrence Pridgen: American pianist, jazz composer, and producer
• TJ Pridgen: American drummer for the rock band The Used
• Lance Pridgen: American country and Christian music artist

Other surnames

Pridgeon