Prunty

Prunty is an Irish surname dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the native Gaelic Ó Proinntigh, meaning "descendant of Proinnteach." The given name Proinnteach itself is believed to come from the Irish word bronntach, signifying "generous" or "bountiful." Initially found primarily in Ulster, now-dispersed families bearing the name can also be found in Scotland and the United States.

Among the better known bearers of the Prunty surname is Wyatt Prunty (born 1947), an American poet and academic, and Joe Prunty, a leading basketball coach working with NBA teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks. Other notable figures include Ben Prunty (composer), Bryan Prunty (Scottish footballer), Melinda Gibbons Prunty (politician), and Robert Prunty (American football coach). The surname also gave its name to the unincorporated community of Prunty in West Virginia, USA.

Noted variants of Prunty include Brontë—perhaps the most famous literary form given to the world by the Brontë sisters—and Brunty, occasionally considered an Anglicized spelling of the same root. The original Gaelic form Ó Proinntigh remains current among some speakers of the language and stands as the etymological source of the English Prunty.

• Meaning: Descendants of the generous one (〈 Gaelic bronntach—generous)
• Origin: Irish, from Ó Proinntigh
• Historical region: Ulster, Ireland; later emigrated to UK, USA, Australia
• Notable variants: Brontë, Brunty