Surname Pietrek - Meaning and Origin
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Pietrek: What does the surname Pietrek mean?
Pietrek is a Polish surname derived from the personal name Pietr, which is the Slavic equivalent of the name Peter. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was formed by adding the suffix "-ek", which is the diminutive form of the paternal name, to the name Pietr. Meaning 'little Peter', it was originally given as a nickname when referring to someone who possessed an endearing characteristic of the given name. Over time, the surname Pietrek was passed down from generation to generation, so that today it is a common surname in Poland.
The name has various meanings depending on the language in which it is used. In Yiddish, Pietrek translates to 'sweetness' or 'pleasantness', reflecting its loving, endearing nature. In Czech, a form of the name Pietrek translates to 'small stone', illustrating the hard-working nature of its original bearers.
Pietrek has often been modified over time to the variation Peterik. This alternate spelling is mainly present in German-speaking countries, and it is believed to come from the Germanization of the original name that occurred in the 18th century.
All in all, the last name Pietrek is full of rich cultural history, and today a variety of people proudly carry this surname with them. The name can be found all over the world, reflecting its various interpretations and adaptations it has undergone over time.
Order DNA origin analysisPietrek: Where does the name Pietrek come from?
Pietrek is a Polish surname most commonly found in Poland, with smaller concentrations in other European countries like Germany and Lithuania. In fact, it is the 68th most common surname in Poland.
According to the official histories of many of these countries, the surname was likely derived from the given name "Piotr," which, in Polish, literally translates to "Peter." This would mean that Pietrek is most likely a patronymic name, given to the son of a man named Peter. Indeed, many Pietreks today can trace their lineage back to a Peter in their family tree.
As a result, the surname is still most pervasive in close-knit Polish communities, whether they are in Poland or dispersed around the world. Poles are a people of great diaspora, and as such, it is not uncommon to find the surname in emigrant populations in places like North America, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe.
For example, the United States Census records record 181 different residents with the surname Pietrek living in the country today. Many of them likely settled in places with strong Polish emigrant populations such as New York, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
Overall, the surname Pietrek is still rather common today, but those who bear the name can almost always trace their roots back to Poland.
Variations of the surname Pietrek
Pietrek is a surname that originated in Europe in the 13th century. It is an anglicized version of the Polish name Pietryk, which, in turn, was derived from the personal name, Peter. The Polish spelling is Pietryk, while the Polish diminutive forms are Petrus, Pietrus, Pietrek, Pietrush, Pietrzynski, Pietraszek, Powietrzyński, Piotr, Petruś, and Pawłowski. Other variants of Pietrek include Pietrak, Piotrek, Petricek, Petreus, Petrosavich, and Petrovich. The surname may also be found in various spellings as Pavelka, Pavlik, Pavluk, Pablyk, and Pavelek.
The surnames Pietrek and its variants have spread from their original homeland in Eastern Europe and can be found in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. As with many surnames, Pietrek has also been adopted by other ethnic groups, such as the Chinese. Examples of its Chinese equivalents include Pieret, Tehreh, and Peetrak.
Online genealogy records can offer further information on the origin and variants of Pietrek. It is often possible to trace the surname back to the province or country where the first known ancestor lived.
Famous people with the name Pietrek
- Mike Pietrek: Former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1984 to 1990 for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Indians.
- Peter Pietrek: Award-winning digital storyteller.
- Gerd Pietrek: German footballer who played for several clubs in Germany between 1967 and 1975.
- Timo Pietrek: German footballer who played for several clubs in Germany between 1995 and 2007.
- Andrzej Pietrek: Polish multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer.
- Steve Pietrek: American-reared musician and artist who, since 1992, has been responsible for hundreds of recordings released on over 120 CD reissues from the world’s most acclaimed musical ensembles and orchestras.
- Ben Pietrek: American-born filmmaker who won the Galway Film Fleadh Best Documentary award for his film The Starfish.
- Lothar Pietrek: German-born composer and pianist who worked extensively in film music.
- Jochen Pietrek: German ice speed skater who competed at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Steve Pietrek: German-born independent artist collector with over 28 years in the business.