Surname Petzhold - Meaning and Origin

Petzhold: What does the surname Petzhold mean?

The last name Petzhold was German in origin, and was derived from the Middle High German words 'petzen,' meaning 'to pick, or to peck' and 'hold,' meaning 'brave or strong.' In some cases, the name was an occupational name used to describe a poultry farmer or breeder who was skilled at selecting the best birds. It may also have been a nickname for someone thought to resemble a plucky bird or small animal.

During the Middle Ages, many people adopted hereditary last names, and the Petzhold surname may have been used in a region that was located in the northern part of present-day Germany. Petzhold may also have been an ornamental name, given to someone who owned a farm with a large chicken coop – the kind that had lots of 'picking' and 'pecking' going on!

In modern times, many people with the last name Petzhold are found in Germany, as well as in the United States and other countries. Many individuals trace their ancestral lineage to ancestors who immigrated from Germany centuries ago. No matter where they are from or how long they've been living there, all individuals bearing the last name Petzhold share the same proud history and heritage.

Petzhold: Where does the name Petzhold come from?

The last name Petzhold is mainly found in southern Germany today. The surname originated in around the 15th century and is most commonly associated with Germany. It is thought that the name likely began as an occupational name for a person who was a sailor or a seaman.

From the 1800s, the Petzhold name spread throughout the German Empire and across to the United States and other parts of Europe. Today the name is prevalent in the Rheinland, Bavaria and Berlin areas of Germany. It is also found in Belgium, Switzerland, and Southeastern France. In the United States, some of the largest concentrations of Petzholds can be found in Minnesota, New York, Illinois, and Ohio.

Outside of Germany, the Petzhold name is somewhat uncommon. However, there are still pockets of people with this name scattered throughout Europe and the United States. As people move away from the traditional areas where their ancestors first settled, the name has diluted and become less common.

In the United States alone, there are approximately 110 people with the last name Petzhold. With the vast majority of these people being of German descent, it is safe to say that the name is still fairly prevalent in the German-speaking parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Petzhold

Petzhold is a German surname originating from North Germany around the area of modern Berlin. In its original spelling it is Petzholdt, however there are many variant spellings of the same name. The variations of this surname are Patzhold, Patzholdt, Patzholt, Petzhold, Petzholt, Petzholdt, Petzholt, Peddigrohr, and Petersharry.

Some of the variants of this surname are derived from different regions in the German states of Brandenburg and Prussia. Examples of this include Patzhold, Patzholt, and Patzholdt, which are derived from Polish regions; Petzhold, Petzholdt, and Petzholt, which originated in the area of Berlin, and Peddigrohr and Petersharry, which emerging from the North German regions.

These spellings and surnames all refer to the same origin, and often times the surname will have its spelling changed depending on the documents kept in the local churches or parishes. For example, a more rural area might have documents that record the surname as Petzholt while a more urban area would have documents kept that spell the surname as Petzhold.

This surname is of ancient origin and was developed to distinguish one from another in the days before the modern practice of surnames in Germany evolved. The Petzhold surname was, and remains, a marker of a family’s ancestry in the regions of Germany referred to above. In today’s world, the Petzhold surname can be found scattered around the globe as families have moved through the centuries from Germany to the four corners of the world.

Famous people with the name Petzhold

• Adriana Petzhold: Chilean film actress
• Curt Petzhold: American football player
• Dion Petzhold: South African cricket player
• Gene Petzhold: American politician
• Guilherme Petzhold: Brazilian footballer
• Helena Elisabeth Petzhold: German businessperson
• Henrique Petzhold: Brazilian volleyball player
• Jan Ulrich Petzhold: German chess Grandmaster
• Jens Petzhold: German ski jumper
• João Petzhold: Portuguese football player
• Johannes Petzhold: German football player
• Karen Petzhold: German actress
• Liz Petzhold: American football player
• Manica Petzhold: Uruguayan judoka
• Mick Petzhold: American baseball player
• Pedro Petzhold: Brazilian rugby union player
• Rita Petzhold: Brazilian beach volleyball player
• Túlio Petzhold: Brazilian footballer
• Wilhelm Petzhold: German field hockey player

Other surnames

PetzholdtPetzholtzPetzholz