Praetorius, Prätorius, Prætorius was the name of several musicians and scholars in Germany.
In 16th and 17th century Germany it became a fashion for educated people named "Schulze," "Schultheiß," or "Richter" (which means "judge"), to Latinise their names as "Praetorius," referring to a former official position called "Praetor urbanus."
Anton Praetorius (1560–1613), pastor, fighter against the persecution of witches and against torture
Bartholomaeus Praetorius (c.1590–1623), composer and cornettist
Christoph Praetorius (died 1609), composer, and uncle of Michael
Franz Praetorius (1847–1927), semitist and Hebraist
Hieronymus Praetorius (1560–1629), composer and organist
Jacob Praetorius (c.1530–1586), composer and organist, and father of Hieronymus
Jacob Praetorius (1586–1651), composer, organist and teacher, and son of Hieronymus
Johannes Praetorius (1537–1616), mathematician and astronomer
Johannes Praetorius (musician) (1595–1660), organist and composer; son of Hieronymus and brother of Jacob
Johannes Praetorius (writer) (1630–1680), writer and polymath, real name Hans Schultze
Matthäus Prätorius (1635–1704), pastor, priest, historian, ethnographer
Michael Praetorius (c.1571–1621), composer ("Terpsichore"), music theorist, and organist
Stephan Praetorius (1536–1603), theologian