Surname Pater - Meaning and Origin
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Pater: What does the surname Pater mean?
The last name Pater originates from the Latin word for "father" (pater). It was originally used to refer to someone honored for his paternal qualities, such as a father, grandfather, or ancestor.
The name also has a religious connotation, as it is similar to the Greek word for "Father" (pater) which is often used to refer to God. It is also associated with the Latin phrase, “Pater Familias,” which translates to ‘father of the family.’ This phrase further emphasizes this idea of a figure of authority and honor.
The surname Pater can be found in many countries throughout the world, including England, France, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. In the United States, many families of German descent have adopted the surname, as it is a common name in Germany.
In addition to being used as a surname, Pater has also been used as a given name over the years. It is sometimes regarded as a more formal or classic version of the name Peter or Patrick.
Overall, the surname Pater is associated with parents, authority, and respect for family, and has been found in many countries around the world. Its origin from Latin has helped to solidify the meaning of the surname, carrying these connotations with it wherever it is found.
Order DNA origin analysisPater: Where does the name Pater come from?
The surname Pater is most prevalent in The Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium, where it is most commonly found in the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant, Friesland, Overijssel, Flevoland, Utrecht, Zuid-Holland, Groningen and Zeeland. Beyond this region, Pater is moderately common in Germany, particularly in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. It is also found in larger numbers across Europe's northwest, including France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic,and Hungary.
In terms of the wider diaspora, Pater is not particularly widespread in the English-speaking world, although it does have notable bearers in the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. Among the US's highest-profile Pater's is Barry Pater, the founder of the Olympic Steel industrial services company, while a contemporary English bearer is the Conservative politician and former soldier Johnny Mercer. In Canada, Pater can also be encountered in the form of Dutch-language boutique owners Sjaar and Neeske Pater. Finally, Australian media figures who bear the name include The Project co-host Tommy Little and radio broadcaster Jackie O, both of whom were born Jacqueline Pater.
Variations of the surname Pater
The surname Pater is generally believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word "pater", meaning father, and is likely to have been a patronymic alluding to the fact that the original bearer of the name was the son of someone named Patric(k).
Variants of the surname Pater can include the following: Patar, Patter, Petter, Pettar, Pattar, Patar, Patier, Patre, Patar and Peadar. Spellings may vary depending on the location or country, however, and may include Patar, Patter, Petter, Petter, Pattar, Patier, Patre, Patar, Peadar, Padar, Pader and Padar.
The surname Pater can also have variations depending upon the language and region, such as Patarau, Pataro, and Pataroux in France and Paterno, Petrenko and Paderno in Ukraine. Patrascu and Paduraru are Romanian variations, and the surname also exists as Patras and Patro in Greece. Additionally, there is the rare surname Pateria.
Moreover, other surnames have the same origin as the surname Pater, such as Patrick, Pat, Padget, Padge, Padgett, Paddy, and Padget.
Famous people with the name Pater
- Jeroen Pater, Dutch cyclist
- Artemis Pater, Greek swimmer
- Lise Pater, Belgian rower
- Dagseric Pater, French football defender
- Carsten Pater, German footballer
- Jacob Pater, Dutch academic and jurist
- Patrick Pater, Uruguayan football manager
- Nils Pater, Dutch film and voice actor
- Femke Pater-Ouwerkerk, Dutch professional hockey player
- Kees Pater, Dutch psychologist and professor