The surname Prell appears to be characteristic in origin. Research indicates that it can be associated with the Germans and English, meaning, "one who was rowdy and boistrous." Although this interpretation was the result of onomastic research, you may find other meanings for the Prell family name. Many surnames have more than one origin. Most German surnames are derived from occupations, colors or locations.

Below is a listing of the earliest Prell immigrants known to arrive in the New World (United States).

Smith, Clifford Neal. Mercenaries from Ansbach and Bayreuth, Germany. Thomson, Illinois: Heritage House 1974.

Friedrich arrived in the New World in 1777. Pg. 13.

Johann arrived in the New World in 1777. Pg. 13.

Matthias arrived in the New World in 1780. Pg. 13.

Stadtler, Erhard. Die Ansbach-Bayreuther Truppen Amerikanischen. Freie Schriftenfolge der Gesellschaft vol 8.

Friedrich arrived in the New World in 1783. Pg. 165.

Johann arrived in the New World in 1783. Pg. 165.

Matthias arrived in the New World in 1780. Pg. 165.

United States. Works Projects Admin. Index to Records of Aliens' Declarations of Intent. WPA Project Number 20837. Vol. 9, letter P.

Conrad arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvaina in 1880. Pg. 87.

Wolfert, Marion. German Immigrants: Lists of Passengers Bound From Bremen to New York. 1868-1871, with Places of Origin. Vol. 4. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1993. 198p.

Karoline, age 1, arrived in New York City in 1869. Pg. 132.

Karoline, age 23, arrived in New York City in 1869. Pg. 132.

Zimmerman, Gary J., and marion Wolfert. German Immigrants: Lists of Passengers Bound From Bremen to New York, 1847-1854, with Places of Origin. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987. 175p.

Elisabeth, age 25, arrived in New York City in 1850. Pg. 116

Wolfert, Marion. German Immigrants: Lists of Passengers Bound From Bremen to New York. 1863-1867, with Places of Origin. Vol. 3. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. 221p.

E., age 23, arrived in New York City in 1864. Pg. 147.

Knowing the different spellings of the same original surname are a common occurence, it is not surprising that dictionaries of surnames indicate probable spelling variations of the Prell surname to be Preller and Brell. I have found that when searching census records, that surnames and given names were phonetically spelled by the registrar if the individual could not speak English very well. I found that to be true of my great-grandmothers maiden name, Sukop. The name was spelled, "Sokoph" in the 1860 census record and "Sockup" in the 1870 census record. Apparently, John Sukop spoke broken English and it sounded like "Sokoph" or "Sockup".

It is always good practice to cross-check references to surnames. I tend to believe birth, baptismal and marriage records over census and cemetery records. I have seen errors not only on census and cemetery records, but even on gravestones. My grandfathers given name is incorrect on the headstone for whatever reason. The moral to the story is believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

Below is a Prell family migration chart depicting where the families are currently residing today along with a total count. Not surprising is that most Prell families live in Germany with the United States second. I was surprised to find so many in California.