Prideaux (surname)

Prideaux is a surname of Cornish origin derived from the place called Prideaux in the parish of Luxulyan. The place-name had the form Pridias in the 12th and 13th centuries; however by folk etymology both the place-name and the surname have been altered to a form based on the French "près d'eaux" or "pré d'eaux" (near waters or meadow of waters).
It may refer to
Families.
The ancient gentry family of Prideaux was seated variously at Orcheton, Modbury; Adeston, Holbeton; Thuborough, Sutcombe; Soldon, Holsworthy; Netherton, Farway; Ashburton; Nutwell, Woodbury; Ford Abbey, Thorncombe all in Devon, and at Prideaux Place, Padstow and Prideaux manor, Luxulyan, in Cornwall. Fox (1874) stated in regard of the Kingsbridge branch of Prideaux: "We have no intention ... of tracing the pedigree back to old Paganus de Prideaux, who came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and who was Lord of the Castle of Prideaux, in Cornwall". 