Surname Pettypoole - Meaning and Origin

Pettypoole: What does the surname Pettypoole mean?

Pettypoole is an English surname of primarily topographic origin, often given to individuals who resided near a small body of water or pool. The name originates from Middle English words: "petit" meaning small and "pool" meaning pond or a small body of still water. Additionally, the name could potentially be locational, coming from a specific place called Pettypoole, though no such place is known in current or historic records. As is common with surnames that were drawn from geographic features, the spelling of the name Pettypoole may have changed over time and could have several variations due to dialect and regional differences in pronunciation. Other variations of the name might include Petty-Poole, Pettipoole, Pedyapoole, Petitpoole, etc. Although the meaning of a surname can be indicative of ancient family occupations or locations, it does not necessarily hold any specific relevant meaning to today's bearers of the name. It is worth noting that even though it might be less common, it does not imply any notable significance regarding personal identity or status.

Pettypoole: Where does the name Pettypoole come from?

The name Pettypoole is not a very common name today, however, you can find some families with this surname in the United States, primarily in the Southern regions of the country.

The earliest known Pettypoole family in the United States is believed to have come from North Carolina sometime in the late 1700s. Records of Pettypoole families in the state exist as far back as 1778.

The Pettypoole family likely emigrated from England, although this has yet to be confirmed. The family may have come from Staffordshire, as there are historical records of Pettypoole families in that region dating back to the 1500s.

In the early 1800s, the Pettypoole family began to move westwards, and by the middle of the century, the name had spread from NC to the states of TN, VA, SC, KY, and GA. It is likely that some members of the family ventured westward to places such as CA and IL as well.

Today, it is most common to find families with the last name Pettypoole in the Southern states. You can find clusters of Pettypoole families in certain counties in NC, TN, VA, SC, KY, and GA. It is also possible to find some individuals with this surname scattered throughout the rest of the country.

Variations of the surname Pettypoole

The surname Pettypoole is an Anglicised version of the surname Mac an Phúill, which means “son of the pool” in Gaelic. This surname originated in Ireland, with the form Pettypoole still used today in England as well as in parts of the United States.

Pettypoole is the most common variant of the name, but other common versions include both Pettypool and Petty Pile. The Pettypoole spelling is often used interchangeably with Pettypool, with both versions being featured on numerous records. In the United States, the Petro pool spelling is sometimes seen, along with Pettipool and Pettipol.

Surnames with similar origins include Pool, Poole, Pole, Purcell, Phelan, Pili, Phoolan, and Petchell. Some of these surnames are derived from a given name such as Paul, Poll or Phil, while others are derived from a location, such as Poole, a town in Dorset, England.

As is the case with many old Irish surnames, many of the original Pettypoole / Pettypool surnames have been hybridised with other surnames over time. Examples of this include Pettiphelps, MacPhee, and even Purgood, which evolved from Pettypoole and Good respectively.

Overall, the Pettypoole surname is an interesting example of how a single name can alter and evolve over time, giving it a range of spellings, variants and derivative surnames.

Famous people with the name Pettypoole

• Kevin Pettypoole: Lead singer of the band “The Poodles”
• Jennifer Pettypoole: Former member of the National Women’s Soccer League
• Jack Pettypoole: Stand-up comedian who has appeared on Saturday Night Live
• David Pettypoole: Actor and writer who had roles in the film “Armageddon” and the TV show “The Hunger Games”
• George Pettypoole: Ancestor of Dutch politician Johannes Busken Huet
• Emily Pettypoole: Former member of the British Girl Group “Little Mix”
• Adele Pettypoole: Former Olympics ice-skater and creator of “Adele’s World”
• Robert Pettypoole: Former NYC police officer and founder of anti-crime organization COPWATCH
• Chris Pettypoole: Celebrity chef and former contestant on “Hell’s Kitchen”
• Michael Pettypoole: International football referee and member of the FIFA referee committee

Other surnames

Pettypool