Surname Pettee - Meaning and Origin
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Pettee: What does the surname Pettee mean?
The last name Pettee does not have a definitive publicized meaning as it is relatively rare and its origins are not clearly documented. It's likely that it could be of French origin, derived from the French personal name "Petit," meaning "small" or "little". The modification to "Pettee" might be due to cultural or regional linguistic changes. Alternatively, it could also be of English origin, suggestive of a nickname or occupational name. Given the scarcity and ambiguity around this surname, this interpretation could vary. For accurate meaning and origin, professional genealogical research or a comprehensive family history would be required.
Order DNA origin analysisPettee: Where does the name Pettee come from?
The last name Pettee is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It is a relatively uncommon name, but it can be found in several states throughout the U.S. and in several provinces throughout Canada.
In the United States, it is most commonly found in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. It is also present in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In Canada, it is most commonly present in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. As well, there are small numbers of the Pettee surname in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
A search of theGeneanet family tree database yields hundreds of records of people with the last name Pettee. It appears the surname has its roots in Maine and is most commonly associated with the area. The Pettee homestead was established in Cumberland County, Maine shortly after 1700.
At the same time, variations of the name, such as Petty and Petteys, can be found in other parts of the world. There are Petty surnames in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as smaller numbers of the variant names in other countries in Europe and North America.
Despite its relative rarity, the last name Pettee can be easily found in the United States and Canada. It appears to have its roots in Maine and is particularly common in the northeast and eastern provinces. The variations of the name can be found in other parts of the world, albeit in smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname Pettee
Pettee is an unusual surname originating from the French town of Bétey, in the commune and departement of Aisne. Alternately spelled Petée, Pettey, Pettée and Petey, Pettee can be found throughout Europe, especially in France, England and the United States.
The spelling variations of Pettee appear to be primarily a result of phonetic spelling. Those with English as their primary language would most likely pronounce Pettee as “Pett-ee”, while those with a French background typically would pronounce the name as "Pett-ay". The spelling variations thus reflect the different pronunciations.
Pettee is a patronymic name, meaning “son of the Lord,” derived from the name Peter. In France, it can also be spelled Pétri. The Irish and Scottish counterpart is MacPeety.
The earliest recorded instance of the Pettee surname dates back to the 12th century in England, with the first recorded bearer being Peter de Betey.
In the United States, the Pettee family was amongst the earliest settlers in the colonies, arriving with the Puritans in 1620 on the Mayflower. The family spread across the country, eventually settling in Oregon, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and other states.
Among others descended from the Pettee family are British actor Sean Pertwee, Emmy-award winning television producer Gerard “Jerry” Pettee, and American businessman George Pettee.
Famous people with the name Pettee
1.Owen Pettee: American professional basketball player 2.Ellis Pettee: former mayor of Salem, Massachusetts 3.Will Pettee: professional hockey player 4.Henry Pettee: US army officer and superintendent of the United States Naval Academy 5.Kathryn Pettee: American librarian, writer and archivist 6.Ann Pettee: American abstract expressionist artist 7.Katherine Pettee: American artist and printmaker 8.Theodore Pettee: American businessman, philanthropist and investor 9.Ed Pettee: former professional soccer player 10.Alexander Pettee: American actor 11.John Pettee: American politician and judge 12.Ralph Pettee: American photographer 13.Will Pettee Jr.: former professional baseball player 14.Cheryl Pettee: former president of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom 15.Linda Pettee: American photographer and publisher