Originally a Welsh surname, Pruitt, comes from the Middle English term ‘prou’ which means a brave person. Also a French version was ‘proux’ also meaning to be wise. Variations in spelling in Pruitt include Pruet, Prewert, Pruett, Prewett and Prewitt. In Wales the Pruitt surname started in Carmarthenshire. In England the Pruitt surname is founded in Devon and in the city of London. In Scotland the county of Midlothian has the great Pruitt population. Within the United States the Pruitt name is mostly in the southern states. The greater numbers are in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Missouri. Famous: Gregory D. Pruitt (professional football player), Jordan L. Pruitt (singer and songwriter), Dillard Pruitt (professional golfer), Gabe Pruitt (professional basketball player) and Eric Pruitt (professional football player).