Surname Petyt - Meaning and Origin
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Petyt: What does the surname Petyt mean?
The surname Petyt, of English origin, traces back to Medieval times. It is a derivative of the Old French words "Petit," which means "small," and "Petite," meaning little. Hence, it was typically used as a nickname for a small, petite person or to distinguish between two bearers of the same personal name, often relatives, the younger being distinguished by the word 'petite'. Another possibility suggests that the name might have been used to describe someone of modest means. It is also believed that some family names like Petyt may be linked to location, possibly indicating that an individual hailed from a small town or village. Like many surnames, Petyt would have started being used for ease of distinction and identification in bigger communities. This surname has various spellings including Petit, Pettit, and Petyt.
Order DNA origin analysisPetyt: Where does the name Petyt come from?
The surname Petyt is most commonly found throughout Europe. In the United Kingdom, the Petyt surname is primarily found in England, with a handful of individuals also living in Wales. In continental Europe, the Petyt surname is found in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
In England, the Petyt surname is mainly found in the East Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire regions. The earliest occurrences of the surname date back to the 15th century in the East Midlands region of England. Additionally, in the County Durham area of England, the Petyt name is derived from the Estonian-style female personal name Pate.
In Belgian provinces, the Petyt surname is often related to the French surname Pétit, which is derived from petit, meaning "small".
In Italy, variations of the Petyt name can be found in the North-Central regions, including Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna. The earliest records of the Petyt name in Italy date as far back as the 17th century.
In Germany, variations of the Petyt surname are found throughout the country. In the north and northeastern regions, this surname is based on the Estonian-style female name Pate. In the southwestern region, the surname is most likely derived from the French surname Pétit.
In Switzerland, the Petyt surname is primarily found in the Northwestern region of the country, specifically the Canton of Vaud. In this region, this surname is most likely derived from the French surname Pétit. Variations of the Petyt name in Switzerland date back to the 18th century.
Overall, the surname Petyt is most commonly found today in England, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Petyt
The surname Petyt has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common alternative spellings of the name Petyt include Petit, Pettyt, Petitt, Petiet, Petti, Pettit, Petite, Petiette, Pettie, Pety, Petey, Petty, Pettiit, Peaty, and Peteto. Any of these may be used as a surname of the same origin.
Variations in spelling are the result of attempts to translate the name from its original language. The name Petyt is most likely derived from the Dutch phrase “petit”, meaning small or delicate. Over time, this phrase was adapted to different spellings in various languages and cultures, with spelling variations such as “Petyt”, “Petit” and “Petey”.
Other surnames of the same origin as Petyt include Pieve, Peeven, and Petiaux. These are more common in France and the Netherlands. In Italy, Petti and Pettiti are surnames of the same origin.
The surname Petyt could also be derived from the French phrase “petit”, meaning “little”. In this case, other surnames of the same origin as Petyt include Petieux, Petitou, and Petivaux. Other surnames derived from the French phrase include Petillot, Petille, and Petillierre.
In some cases, the surname Petyt could also originate from the Hebrew phrase “Peyt”, meaning “mouth of God”. In this case, other surnames of the same origin may include Peat, Peate, Peaty, and Peatie.
No matter the origin of the name, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Petyt can help with family research, tracing heritage, and discovering the meaning of one's own surname.
Famous people with the name Petyt
- Clare Petyt: an English lawyer who was legendary in the 14th century for her expertise in law, and for sexism that she encountered in her career.
- Rev. Thomas Petyt: a seventeenth-century English author and divine.
- Sir Peter Petyt: an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1700.
- John Petyt: an English politician who served as Member of Parliament for the cities of Petersfield and Lancaster, and was prominent in the early development of the Bank of England.
- Rev. Sam Petyt: a rector of St. Paul's, Clerkenwell in the eighteenth century, and a noted antiquarian and author of several books of history and biography.
- Peter Edward Petyt: a Yorkshire banker, philanthropist and politician who served as mayor of Sheffield from 1912-13.
- Jonathan Petyt: an eighteenth-century British lawyer who was Keeper of the Records of the Order of the Bath and a member of the Council of Trade and Plantations.
- Sir John Petyt: a prominent English barrister and politician who served as Member of Parliament for Appleby, and was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1788.
- Sir William Petyt: a noted eighteenth-century British lawyer, judge, and academic who served as a Member of Parliament, as well as provost of Eton College.
- Lady Naomi Petyt: an eighteenth-century English baroness and grace courtier of King George I.
- Rev. Nathaniel Petyt: a Christian divine of the seventeenth century and author of works on the history, zoology, and ethnology of Africa.
- Sir Thomas Petyt: an eleventh-century English merchant and politician who served as Mayor of London in 1216.
- John Petyt: a sixteenth-century English dissenting minister, author, and newspaper editor.
- Sir Lionel Petyt: an eighteenth-century English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Canterbury, as well as Deputy Chairman of the East India Company.