Surname Peterman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Peterman: What does the surname Peterman mean?
The surname Peterman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name Peter, a popular name during the Middle Ages in Europe. It translates to "rock" from the Greek "petros." The name was further popularized by St. Peter, one of Christ's Apostles in the Christian religion.
The addition of "man" to the name denotes "servant of" or "follower of," implying "Servant of Peter" or "Follower of Peter." This could likely signify a strong devotion towards Christianity during the Middle Ages when the surname likely originated.
Like many surnames, over time, it may also have become a trade title, referring to an individual who works in a church or is engaged in travel, like Saint Peter. However, the exact interpretation can have several variations depending upon cultural or regional differences.
Please note, although Peterman is a common Jewish name in America, not all Petermans are of Jewish descent as the surname has multiple origins. It's crucial to explore a detailed family history to determine the specific background of the Peterman surname.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterman: Where does the name Peterman come from?
The Peterman surname can be found throughout the United States today, where it is most concentrated in the Midwest, especially in the states of Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. It is also found throughout other parts of the country, including the South, Northeast, and West Coast. The earliest known Peterman in America came from Bavaria in the late 18th century.
The surname originated as "Petermann" or "Petersmann" and is derived from the Greek "Petros" or "Peter," meaning rock. This origin ties in with the German meaning: one who came from or was related to Peter.
The Peterman surname didn't become common until after World War ii when many immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland came to America. Currently, the Peterman name is most commonly found in areas with a predominately German heritage, such as Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia.
Today, the surname Peterman is generally associated with German or Dutch descent, although there are Peterman Americans of a variety of other ethnicities, including English, Irish, and French.
There is no one answer to where the Peterman surname is common today, as it has become widely dispersed throughout the United States. But where it is most likely to be seen is in states with a large German heritage, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Peterman
The surname Peterman is considered to be of German/Dutch descent and is derived from Peterson; originally, it was a patronymic name that derived from the personal name Petter (or Peter). It is also classified as an occupational name as it was used to denote a farmer or tenant of a Peter.
The variants, spellings, and surnames associated with Peterman are as follows:
Petters, Petersan, Petersohn, Peeters, Petresen, Pitterman, Petermann, Penterman, Pieterse, Pettis, Petrman, Pettit, Pitaro, Petaro, Pietars, and Peatman.
The surnames Pieterse and Pietars are likely anglicized versions of the name, stemming from the original Dutch and German variations. Pitaro and Petaro were likely derived from the Italian versions of the name.
Petterson is another variation seen frequently among Scandinavian countries. The surname Pettit was probably derived from the French form of the name, while Peatman is likely an English version.
The diminutive form of the name is Pety, and it is the most common variation among French-speaking countries such as Belgium and France.
In conclusion, the surname Peterman has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames, and these can be divided into several broad categories based on their language of origin.
Famous people with the name Peterman
- John Peterman: American entrepreneur best known as the inspiration for the television character J. Peterman in the sitcom Seinfeld.
- Gary Peterman: American musician best known for his work with the band The Zombies.
- Pearl Peterman: American actress who starred in several Broadway and television shows from the 1970s up until the early 2000s.
- Hallie Peterman: American film and television actress who has appeared in shows such as Orange is the New Black and Law & Order: SVU.
- Tyler Peterman: American actor who is most notable for his roles in the films Power Rangers and Freakish.
- Susan Peterman: American choreographer and Broadway dancer who has choreographed productions like All Shook Up and High School Musical.
- Jean Peterman: Canadian curler who won the 2010 World Curling Championship as a part of the winning team.
- Philip Peterman: American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- Amelia Peterman: Australian-born fashion designer who started her career in Sydney before moving to New York.
- Henry Peterman: English football player who played for Cambridge United in the 2000s.