Surname Pechthold - Meaning and Origin
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Pechthold: What does the surname Pechthold mean?
The last name Pechthold is a German name that dates back to the pre-medieval era. It is derived from the German word "petch," which means a bundle of kindling. In some cases, it was likely used to indicate people who engaged in the trade, preparation and sale of firewood. It may also have been used to denote a place where kindling was stored and sold.
At a time when last names were often linked to trades or occupations, Pechthold could have been used to signify those who handled and sold firewood. It could also indicate people who lived in the areas around places where bundles of firewood were stored or sold, and later came to be adopted as a family name.
In some cases, the name is also linked to places where prey was hunted and stored. The prefix "petch" is often seen in German place names meaning "forest source," indicating a source of animals or game in the area.
Overall, the last name Pechthold is believed to be derived from a trade or occupation dealing with the handling and sale of firewood, or a place where game was hunted and stored. It has a strong connection to the German language and is a reminder of the often-unconventional methods that Germans used to differentiate between people.
Order DNA origin analysisPechthold: Where does the name Pechthold come from?
The last name Pechthold is most commonly found today in Germany. It is a German surname derived from the Middle Low German word “pech,” which means “bad luck.” The earliest documented reference to the name dates back to 1637, when Johannes Pechtholtz was mentioned in a register of Hessian residents in Raguhn, Germany. Since then, the name has spread, with records of Pechtholds documented in other parts of Germany, such as the former East Prussia and Berlin.
Today, Pechtholds can be found in major cities all over Germany. It is one of the most common surnames in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with over 7,000 people bearing the name in 2014. Approximately 10,000 people in Germany had the last name Pechthold in 2018, according to the Genealogy website MyHeritage. Additionally, the name is found in several other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Norway, and Brazil.
Thus, the last name Pechthold is most common today in Germany, although it can also be found in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Pechthold
Pechthold is a German surname originating from the medieval Germanic name “Pech” meaning “oak”. The spelling of the surname has varied throughout different regions, resulting in a range of variants and spellings.
Variants of the Pechthold surname include: Pestholt, Peshtol, Pesthaupt, Pechholtz, Petshold, Peßholt, Pechtl, Peschholdt, Pechtlhofe, Pechhöltz, Peschtold, Pechtel, Pechtelhöfer, Petzholdt, Petsham, Peemhowtz, Pechtelhofer and Fechtelt.
Surnames of the same origin include: Pechtlinger, Pechtländer and Pechteler. Together with its variants, Pechthold remains a common surname in Germany today.
Famous people with the name Pechthold
- Ulla Strauss-Pechthold: German violin luthier and former president, board member, and representatives of the stringed instrument maker associations in Germany.
- Heiner Pechthold: German football manager and former player.
- Christian Pechthold: German lawyer and member of the 14th Bundestag representing the Social Democratic Party.
- Manfred Pechthold: German politician and former Mayor of the city of Dusseldorf.
- Fabian Pechthold: German harpsichord builder and restorer.
- Joachim Pechthold: German actor, director, and playwright.
- Helge Pechthold: German television presenter and radio journalist.
- Paul Pechthold: German professor of Africana studies and an expert on Africa-related issues.
- Sybille Pechthold: German politician and current Lord Mayor of Erfurt.
- Edward Pechthold: American engineer and inventor.