Surname Petrovs - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Petrovs: What does the surname Petrovs mean?
The last name Petrovs is of Russian origin and is a patronymic surname derived from the male given name Petro, a variation of the Greek name Peter. Depending on the patronymic endings used, variations on the name may be found such as Petrovsky, Petrovich, Petrova, Petroff, Petroffski, Petrovna, Petrovkin, and Petrovets.
The literal meaning of Petrovs comes from the Russian honorific title “son of Peter”.
To understand the history of the Petrovs family name we must travel back to the Middle Ages in Russia when surnames were introduced as a way of distinguishing between different individuals. During this period, patronymic surnames began to appear and later evolved into hereditary surnames.
Since then, the Petrovs family has spread to many different parts of the world, including Europe, Russia and more recently, the United States.
More recently, the Petrovs surname is associated with Vladimir Petrovs, a noted Russian astronomer, physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics.
The Petrovs name is one that is steeped in traditionally Russian history, and has a strong connection to the country. For those who bear the Petrovs surname, it is a proud name that is connected to the heritage and pride of their homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisPetrovs: Where does the name Petrovs come from?
The last name Petrovs is most commonly found in countries of the former Soviet Union, such as Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as some Eastern European countries. It has also been recorded in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, indicating that some individuals have immigrated from these countries.
Petrovs is thought to have originated in Serbia, Slovakia, or Bulgaria. The root of the last name Petrovs may have come from a Slavic word, ‘petra’, which meant ‘rock’ or ‘stone’. As such, the last name Petrovs refers to someone of either strong character or who lived near a rocky area.
In Russia, Petrovs may refer to a family of nobles from the archipelago of Solovetsky Islands, which is located in the Onega Bay of the White Sea. In the 17th century, when Tsar Peter the Great opened the Arctic Ocean for foreign travel, the Petrovs family was among the pioneers who crossed the White Sea. They settled in the area and developed a flourishing fishing industry.
Today, the last name Petrovs is found across the world. Many Petrovs have gone on to become prominent figures in their respective countries, from politicians to businessmen, musicians, and athletes.
Variations of the surname Petrovs
The Petrovs surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants include Petroff, Petrof, Petrovac, Petrova, Petrovsky, and Pyatrovich.
A more obscure variation of the Petrovs surname is Petrow. This spelling is especially rare in regions with Slavic populations. Also uncommon in the Slavic regions is Pelevin.
The Petricevic surname is a derivative of Petrovs. It is most common among Croatian families (from the region known as Dalmatia) that are descended from the Petrovs family.
In some areas of Eastern Europe, the Petrovs name has morphed into the surnames Petroffsky, Petrovna, and Petrovitic. These vary from place to place, so their prevalence is not as widespread as the Petrovs variations.
In Russia, the Petrovs surname has devolved into Petronics, Petrushkin, Petrovankin, and Petrovka. These variations are more commonly found than the ones previously mentioned.
Finally, spelling variants of Petrovs include Petrich, Pyatrov, Pyatrovsk, and Petrovka. These spellings are less common than the others but may still be found in some areas of Eastern Europe.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames that originate from the Petrovs surname. Although some of them are much more common than others, all of them have the same roots and can be traced back to a shared family of Petrovs.
Famous people with the name Petrovs
- Aleksandr Petrov: Russian born painter who creates vibrant abstract works.
- Olga Petrova: Famous film actress of the 1920s and 30s who starred in over 90 films.
- Alexander Petrov: Award-winning Russian animator famous for his film Pigs.
- Sergei Petrov: Russian actor and singer who has appeared in a number of films and television shows.
- Dmitri Petrov: Former amateur ice hockey player who played with the Soviet and Russian national teams.
- Andrei Petrov: Russian classical music composer and pianist who produced orchestral works and contemporary chamber music.
- Anastasia Petrova: Russian figure skater and 2014 World Junior Figure Skating Champion.
- Natalia Petrovna: Russian prima ballerina and choreographer who received the Order of Honor in her career.
- Viktor Petrov: Soviet Air Force pilot and twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
- Victor Petrov: Soviet Air Force commander and twice Hero of the Soviet Union.