Pretorius is a South African surname. The family has European and Indian ancestry: two East Indian slave women, Catharina van Bengale, and Helena van Malabar are ancestors.
- André Pretorius, South African rugby player
- Andries Pretorius (1798–1853), Boer leader
- Dewald Pretorius, South African cricketer
- Hattingh Pretorius, South African military commander
- Jackie Pretorius, racecar driver
- Jaco Pretorius, South African rugby player
- Johan Pretorius, South African doctor
- Kosie Pretorius, Namibian politician
- Marianne Pretorius, South African rock climber
- Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (1819–1901), son of Andries, first president of the South African Republic (often known as the Transvaal Republic)
- Ryan Pretorius, American football place kicker from South Africa
- Rynard Pretorius, South African rugby player
- Doctor Septimus Pretorius, fictional mad scientist in Bride of Frankenstein
See also Praetorius, Pretoria