Surname Pettitt - Meaning and Origin
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Pettitt: What does the surname Pettitt mean?
The surname Pettitt originates from the Old French personal name "Petit" meaning "small" or "little," which was often used as a term of affection or endearment. It was likely given to someone who was petite or short in stature, or perhaps younger in a family or group. This name was introduced into England following the Norman conquest in 1066. Variants of this surname include Pettit, Petit, Pettet, and others. As with many medieval European surnames, they often developed based on a person's occupation, location, characteristics, or nickname, which would then often be passed down to the next generations. Thus, the surname Pettitt carries the humble connotation of being ‘small’ or ‘young’ – likely reflective of characteristics of the original bearer of this name.
Order DNA origin analysisPettitt: Where does the name Pettitt come from?
The last name Pettitt is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and other parts of the British Isles. In England it is most frequent in southeastern counties such as Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. In Scotland, it belongs primarily to two regions, the Borders around Kelso and the Isle of Skye.
In the United States, the Pettitt family name is found primarily in the northwest. Washington State and Oregon have the highest concentration of the name today. It is actually quite rare in other parts of the country.
The Pettitt family likely originated centuries ago in Kent, where they were listed in the "Hundred Rolls" of 1273. They spread to other parts of England and eventually to Scotland.
Due to their geographic location and known occupations, they have probably been a stable family for centuries, and many of them migrated to the United States during the 1800s.
The ancestry of the Pettitts has been traced back to Robert Pettit who settled in the colony of Virginia in the 17th century. When the British Empire granted war pensions to loyalists of the American Revolutionary War, the Pettitt family was acknowledged for their commitment and loyalty to the crown.
Today, the Pettitt family is still found in its ancestral homelands of England and Scotland and in pockets of the northwest United States. They may have changed occupation and moved to different areas, but they remain a tight-knit family with a shared sense of identity and pride.
Variations of the surname Pettitt
The surname Pettitt is derived from the Old English personal name of Pytt, which was derived from the Latin personal name 'Pittus', meaning 'dwarf'.
Variants and spellings of the surname Pettitt include Pettit, Petit, Pytt, and Pitt. Occasionally the Old English suffixes "-ott" and "-et" are added, which further alters the spelling of the name into Petott, Petot,Petet, Pytott, Pytot, and Pytet. Additionally, the middle syllable may be lengthened or doubled which changes the spelling into Peytt, Petett, Peytot, Pyttit and Pettit.
Surnames of the same origin include Petting, Pettinger, Petty, Pettyjohn, Pettey, Petti, Peytavin, Pitt, Pittman, Pitts, and Pyatt. Additionally, variations of these can also occur, such as Pittmann, Pittens, and Pettigrew.
The surname Pettitt is often found primarily in England, but can also be found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland. People with the surname Pettitt come from a variety of backgrounds and can trace their origins to a variety of places.
Famous people with the name Pettitt
- Phil Pettitt: a British singer and songwriter from Coventry, England.
- Andrew Pettitt: a former professional footballer who played for Manchester United and Stockport County.
- Dave Pettitt: a former football player who represented the England schools team and had a long career with Birmingham City.
- Donna Pettitt: an American country music singer-songwriter.
- Gareth Pettitt: an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire.
- Jemma Pettitt: the first female footballer in England to win 100 caps for her country.
- Paul Pettitt: a British archaeologist and Prehistoric specialist well known for his works on the Palaeolithic.
- Richard Pettitt: a British actor who has appeared in a variety of films including the ‘The Hot Potato’ and ‘Where Eagles Dare’.
- Roger Pettitt: a British artist of the 20th century who painted portraits and still lives in oil, acrylic and watercolours.
- Steve Pettitt: a retired English footballer who had a long career with Southampton Football Club.