Surname Peseluvitz - Meaning and Origin
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Peseluvitz: What does the surname Peseluvitz mean?
The last name Peseluvitz is a type of Ashkenazi Jewish last name that originated with early settlers in Eastern Europe. It is derived from the German word “pesel,” which means a kind of small coin. “Luvitz” or “luv” is a Yiddish word meaning loving. Therefore, Peseluvitz” can be translated as “loving small coins” and suggests that the original bearer was a moneylender or well-off merchant.
Peseluvitz is an uncommon name, with fewer than 8,000 people bearing it worldwide. This reflects the fact that the Jewish population of Eastern Europe, from which the name originates, was decimated by the Holocaust. Most of those who bear this name can trace their ancestry to the lands formerly occupied by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.
The Peseluvitz family has played an important role in both art and commerce. They have been merchants, financiers, painters, sculptors, and poets. For example, the renowned Yiddish poet Avrom Sutzkever was a Peseluvitz.
Although the name Peseluvitz may have originated in Europe, it has spread all over the world. People with the name can be found today in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Israel, indicating the family’s long history of migration.
In sum, the name Peseluvitz is a Germanic-Yiddish amalgam of two words signifying that the original bearer was a financially well-off and loving person. Today, there are people with this name scattered all over the world, their ancestor having immigrated for a variety of reasons. Though persecuted during the Holocaust, the Peseluvitz family has persevered and continues to serve as a reminder of the rich history of the Jewish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisPeseluvitz: Where does the name Peseluvitz come from?
The last name Peseluvitz is most commonly found in the regions of Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is believed to have originated in Poland during the 16th century, and was likely derived from the old Slavic word pesel meaning jester.
The Peseluvitz surname is relatively uncommon outside of Eastern Europe. In population databases, there are no more than a few hundred known recorded instances of it being found in the United States and Canada. Areas with a large Eastern European diaspora such as Chicago, New York City, Toronto, and Montreal may hold a slightly larger number of people with this surname.
As immigration and globalization increase, it is likely that the presence of the Peseluvitz name will continue to spread. With more frequent travel and the worldwide use of the internet, it is easier for descendants to both connect with their ancestral roots as well as spread their family name further than before. With this in mind, it is possible that the Peseluvitz name could become more widely spread beyond the boundaries of Eastern Europe in coming decades.
Variations of the surname Peseluvitz
Peseluvitz is a surname of Sephardic Jewish origin that has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese surname 'Paz Levy', which was a patronymic name meaning 'son of Paz Levy'. Variations of this name include Peselovicz, Pazelovits, Pesselovitz, Pesselowitz, Pesselovits, Pazelovitz, Pazelovits, Pazloveitz, Pazlovitz, and Pazlovits.
Peseluvitz is also an alternate spelling of the Yiddish surname Peselovits. This surname is derived from the root word 'pesel', which means 'jolly' and 'chief'. Therefore, this can be interpreted to mean 'chief of joy'.
The German spelling of Peseluvitz is 'Peselowitz'. This spelling is found in the records of many Jewish families who settled in Germany during the medieval era, as well as in other countries in western and central Europe.
The Polish spelling of Peseluvitz is 'Peselowicz'. This variant is usually found among Polish Jews, who moved eastward from Germany in the 19th century and settled in Galicia, in what is now Ukraine and Poland.
In addition, the American spelling of Peseluvitz is 'Pazloveitz'. This began to be used in the United States in the late 19th century when immigrants to the United States adapted their names to make them easier to pronounce.
Overall, the primary origins of the surname Peseluvitz are Sephardic Jewish and Yiddish. In Europe, the surname is found with various spellings, including English, German, and Polish variations. In the United States, a unique American spelling, 'Pazloveitz', began to be used in the late 19th century.
Famous people with the name Peseluvitz
- Lea Peseluvitz: internationally acclaimed violinist from Washington, D.C.
- Max Peseluvitz: renowned sculptor from New York City.
- Anna Peseluvitz: award-winning television chef and restaurateur.
- Bea Peseluvitz: classical pianist and recording artist.
- Tony Peseluvitz: award-winning Broadway producer.
- Eileen Peseluvitz: Emmy award-winning television editor.
- Bill Peseluvitz: Emmy award-winning composer and musical director.
- John Peseluvitz: Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer.
- Robert Peseluvitz: Oscar-nominated visual effects artist.
- Alisa Peseluvitz: internationally acclaimed concert pianist.