About us
The Prossers were early arrivals to the Colonies ... arriving, first, in Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the mid to late 1600s; second, in Pennsylvania in the early 1700s; and lastly in New Brunswick and Ontario, circa 1783, following the American Revolutionary War. Most of the Prossers that went to Canada were United Empire Loyalist (UEL).
On 15 March 2006 I set-up the Prosser DNA Project with Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) of Houston, Texas. The purpose of this project is to find Prosser ancestors through DNA testing. FTDNA has determined more than 700 markers on the Y-chromosome, in addition to a great number of single nucleotide poymophisms (SNPs), that would be beneficial to genealogist in tracing specific surname lines. These particular markers were selected for their relatively low mutation rates. There are five different tests that can be done: The Y-DNA 12-marker, the Y-DNA 37-marker, the Y-DNA 67-marker, the Y-DNA 111-marker, and the Big Y-700 (which includes testing for more than 700 short tandem repeats (STRs) and more than 70,000 SNPs. The Y-DNA test only works with males who have the same surname. The Y-chromosome is passed from father to son, father to son, etc., so it becomes a marker for the surname. A female may participate in this project by having her father, brother, uncle or male cousin, who carry the Prosser surname, contribute a sample of their Y-DNA.
The origins of the Surname: Prosser
Introduction
There are two etymologies for the surname Prosser, one Welsh and one Middle European. Both etymologies are more or less equally ancient, going back to early medieval times, circa 600-1100 AD.
The Welsh etymology is best known in the United States and Canada, because it is the only one listed in dictionaries detailing the meanings and origins of various names. As a result, many Prossers from a Germanic and Middle European background mistakenly believe themselves to be of Welsh extraction. Nevertheless, most Prosser lines in the United States and Canada can be traced back to Wales and England.
The Welsh Origin of the Prosser Surname
The Welsh surname Prosser is derived from the old given name Roger. Roger is a continental Germanic given name consisting of the Old High German1 elements hrod ‘fame’ and gar ‘spear’ ... hence, famous spear2.
The given name Roger was brought to the British isles, from France, during the Norman conquest of England in 1066 CE. The Welsh sound system originally did not include the sound of ‘j’ or the ‘g’ found in the name Roger. When words containing this sound were borrowed from another language and incorporated into Welsh, the nearest sound equivalent was ‘s’ or ‘si’ ... so that Roger became Rosier (pronounced: ROH-sure) and usually written Rosser. The initial ‘r’ in Welsh is usually given the aspirate quality hence, Rhosier or Rhoser.
The Welsh people, historically, have used a patronymic naming system where the son’s surname is derived from his father’s given name. In Welsh the patronymic designator is ‘ap’ (or ‘ab’ ) meaning "son of"... similar to Mc and Mac, used in Irish and Scottish family names3. The designator ap is used before names beginning with a consonant, and the designator ab is used before names beginning with a vowel.
For example, if a man named Harry had a son Owen, then Owen would be known as Owen ap Harry. In turn, if Owen had a son Richard, then Richard would be known as Richard ab Owen. And once again, if Richard had a son Rosser, then Rosser would be known as Rosser ap Richard. And finally, if Rosser had a son John, then John would be known as John ap Rosser. If John ap Rosser happen to be living during the sixteenth century in Wales and decided to move to England, he would most likely anglicize his name; hence, John ap Rosser of Wales, would be known as John Prosser in England. From this example it can be seen that not all Welsh Prossers are related. Any male who had a father whose given name was Rosser at the time surnames came into existence would end up having the surname Prosser. Recent DNA studies of various Prosser family lines has proved this to be true.
Genetically, males who have the ‘Welsh’ Prosser surname belong to the Y chromosome Haplogroup R1b.
In summation, the etymology of the Welsh surname Prosser is as follows:
Hrodgar (famous spear) F Roger F Rhosier F Rosser F ap Rosser F p’Rosser F Prosser
Old High German F French F Welsh form and evolution ..................... F Anglo form
The Germanic Origin of the Prosser Surname
The Germanic, or Middle European, surname Prosser is an agricultural occupational name derived from the Latin verb “proserpere” meaning “to emerge” ... in the sense of growing grain. The name of the Roman agricultural goddess Proserpina (or Proserpine) is derived from this same Latin verb.
Prossers with this name origin may be found in Germany, especially southern Germany and Bavaria, and other countries historically under German influence, such as Austria, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and northern Italy.
Genetically, males from this part of Europe who have the Prosser surname usually belong to the Y chromosome Haplogroup G.
In summation, the etymology of the 'Middle European surname' Prosser is as follows:
Proserpere (to emerge) F Proserpina / Proserpine F Proßer F Prosser
Latin verb (as in “growing grain”) F Roman Agricultural goddess F German form F Mid European form.
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Note 1. The term 'Old High German' refers to the earliest stage of the German language and it conventionally covers the period from around 500 to1050 CE. Coherent written texts do not appear until the second half of the 8th century, and some treat the period before 750 CE as 'prehistoric' and date the start of Old High German proper to 750 CE for this reason. There are, however, a number of Elder Futhark inscriptions dating to the 6th century (notably the Pforzen buckle), as well as single words and many names found in Latin texts predating the 8th century.
Note 2. The Normans brought this name to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate Hroðgar (the name of the Danish king in the Anglo-Saxon epic 'Beowulf'). It was a common name in England during the Middle Ages. By the 18th century it was rare, but it was revived in following years. The name was borne by the Norman lord Roger I, who conquered Sicily in the 11th century, and his son Roger II, who later ruled Sicily as a king.
Note 3. Names that identify the father are termed Patronymic surnames. Names that identify the mother are termed Matronymic. Rarely, does the name of the mother contributed to the surname. The Scandinavians added "son" to identify John's son or Erik's son. The Norman French used the prefix "Fitz" to mean child of, as in Fitzpatrick, for child of Patrick. Many other cultures have had their own prefixes to indicate the father's name, such as the Scots (MacDonald), the Irish (O'Brien), the Dutch (Van Buren), the French (de Gaulle), the Germans (Von Berger), the Spanish/Italian (Di Tello) and the Arab-speaking nations (ibn-Saud).
On 15 March 2006 I set-up the Prosser DNA Project with Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) of Houston, Texas. The purpose of this project is to find Prosser ancestors through DNA testing. FTDNA has determined more than 700 markers on the Y-chromosome, in addition to a great number of single nucleotide poymophisms (SNPs), that would be beneficial to genealogist in tracing specific surname lines. These particular markers were selected for their relatively low mutation rates. There are five different tests that can be done: The Y-DNA 12-marker, the Y-DNA 37-marker, the Y-DNA 67-marker, the Y-DNA 111-marker, and the Big Y-700 (which includes testing for more than 700 short tandem repeats (STRs) and more than 70,000 SNPs. The Y-DNA test only works with males who have the same surname. The Y-chromosome is passed from father to son, father to son, etc., so it becomes a marker for the surname. A female may participate in this project by having her father, brother, uncle or male cousin, who carry the Prosser surname, contribute a sample of their Y-DNA.
The origins of the Surname: Prosser
Introduction
There are two etymologies for the surname Prosser, one Welsh and one Middle European. Both etymologies are more or less equally ancient, going back to early medieval times, circa 600-1100 AD.
The Welsh etymology is best known in the United States and Canada, because it is the only one listed in dictionaries detailing the meanings and origins of various names. As a result, many Prossers from a Germanic and Middle European background mistakenly believe themselves to be of Welsh extraction. Nevertheless, most Prosser lines in the United States and Canada can be traced back to Wales and England.
The Welsh Origin of the Prosser Surname
The Welsh surname Prosser is derived from the old given name Roger. Roger is a continental Germanic given name consisting of the Old High German1 elements hrod ‘fame’ and gar ‘spear’ ... hence, famous spear2.
The given name Roger was brought to the British isles, from France, during the Norman conquest of England in 1066 CE. The Welsh sound system originally did not include the sound of ‘j’ or the ‘g’ found in the name Roger. When words containing this sound were borrowed from another language and incorporated into Welsh, the nearest sound equivalent was ‘s’ or ‘si’ ... so that Roger became Rosier (pronounced: ROH-sure) and usually written Rosser. The initial ‘r’ in Welsh is usually given the aspirate quality hence, Rhosier or Rhoser.
The Welsh people, historically, have used a patronymic naming system where the son’s surname is derived from his father’s given name. In Welsh the patronymic designator is ‘ap’ (or ‘ab’ ) meaning "son of"... similar to Mc and Mac, used in Irish and Scottish family names3. The designator ap is used before names beginning with a consonant, and the designator ab is used before names beginning with a vowel.
For example, if a man named Harry had a son Owen, then Owen would be known as Owen ap Harry. In turn, if Owen had a son Richard, then Richard would be known as Richard ab Owen. And once again, if Richard had a son Rosser, then Rosser would be known as Rosser ap Richard. And finally, if Rosser had a son John, then John would be known as John ap Rosser. If John ap Rosser happen to be living during the sixteenth century in Wales and decided to move to England, he would most likely anglicize his name; hence, John ap Rosser of Wales, would be known as John Prosser in England. From this example it can be seen that not all Welsh Prossers are related. Any male who had a father whose given name was Rosser at the time surnames came into existence would end up having the surname Prosser. Recent DNA studies of various Prosser family lines has proved this to be true.
Genetically, males who have the ‘Welsh’ Prosser surname belong to the Y chromosome Haplogroup R1b.
In summation, the etymology of the Welsh surname Prosser is as follows:
Hrodgar (famous spear) F Roger F Rhosier F Rosser F ap Rosser F p’Rosser F Prosser
Old High German F French F Welsh form and evolution ..................... F Anglo form
The Germanic Origin of the Prosser Surname
The Germanic, or Middle European, surname Prosser is an agricultural occupational name derived from the Latin verb “proserpere” meaning “to emerge” ... in the sense of growing grain. The name of the Roman agricultural goddess Proserpina (or Proserpine) is derived from this same Latin verb.
Prossers with this name origin may be found in Germany, especially southern Germany and Bavaria, and other countries historically under German influence, such as Austria, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and northern Italy.
Genetically, males from this part of Europe who have the Prosser surname usually belong to the Y chromosome Haplogroup G.
In summation, the etymology of the 'Middle European surname' Prosser is as follows:
Proserpere (to emerge) F Proserpina / Proserpine F Proßer F Prosser
Latin verb (as in “growing grain”) F Roman Agricultural goddess F German form F Mid European form.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Note 1. The term 'Old High German' refers to the earliest stage of the German language and it conventionally covers the period from around 500 to1050 CE. Coherent written texts do not appear until the second half of the 8th century, and some treat the period before 750 CE as 'prehistoric' and date the start of Old High German proper to 750 CE for this reason. There are, however, a number of Elder Futhark inscriptions dating to the 6th century (notably the Pforzen buckle), as well as single words and many names found in Latin texts predating the 8th century.
Note 2. The Normans brought this name to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate Hroðgar (the name of the Danish king in the Anglo-Saxon epic 'Beowulf'). It was a common name in England during the Middle Ages. By the 18th century it was rare, but it was revived in following years. The name was borne by the Norman lord Roger I, who conquered Sicily in the 11th century, and his son Roger II, who later ruled Sicily as a king.
Note 3. Names that identify the father are termed Patronymic surnames. Names that identify the mother are termed Matronymic. Rarely, does the name of the mother contributed to the surname. The Scandinavians added "son" to identify John's son or Erik's son. The Norman French used the prefix "Fitz" to mean child of, as in Fitzpatrick, for child of Patrick. Many other cultures have had their own prefixes to indicate the father's name, such as the Scots (MacDonald), the Irish (O'Brien), the Dutch (Van Buren), the French (de Gaulle), the Germans (Von Berger), the Spanish/Italian (Di Tello) and the Arab-speaking nations (ibn-Saud).