The English and Irish surname Pendergast is of locational origin from a lost place called Brontegeest (Prentagast), in Flanders near Ghent, and was brought by Flemish settlers to Normandy. The name is said to have been brought to England by one Prenliregast, a follower of William the Conqueror. His son, Philip, was given lands near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, renamed as Prendergast Castle. Prenegast in Berwickshire also apparently takes its name from this family. The first recorded namebearer (see below), a member of the Welsh branch, played a prominent part with Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in the invasion of Ireland in May 1169, where they obtained extensive grants of land in the south and west of the country. His younger son, William, acquired New Castle near Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, which was the family seat for several centuries.
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