Surname Piscator - Meaning and Origin
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Piscator: What does the surname Piscator mean?
Piscator is a surname of Latin origin meaning fisher or fisherman. It is derived from the Latin word ‘piscator’ which translates into English as ‘fisherman’. The family name likely originated in Northern Italy and spread slowly across Europe during the early Middle Ages, perhaps as a result of the extensive trade and travel of medieval Europe. The earliest recorded occurrence of the name is from the 11th century, when a Benedictine monk called Paulus Piscator (meaning ‘Paul the Fisherman’) was recorded in an Italian document.
The family name Piscator has long been associated with the water – not only with fishing but also with seafaring. During the Age of Exploration, many members of the family traveled across the globe in search of new territory and trade opportunities. This explorer spirit continued through to the modern day, as exemplified by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was born with the Piscator family surname.
The surname has risen in popularity in more recent years, becoming more widely used in the UK and North America as an occupational name as well as a family name. The name continues to be strongly associated with fishing, seafaring, and exploration – a timeless tribute to the adventurous spirit of the Piscator family.
Order DNA origin analysisPiscator: Where does the name Piscator come from?
The last name Piscator is most commonly found in Europe, specifically in Germany and the Netherlands. It is also found throughout Central and Eastern Europe; Poland, Hungary, and Latvia all have sizeable populations with this surname.
The etymology of the name dates back to the Latin word piscator, meaning “fisherman”. Thus, the name is believed to have originated from occupational origins. During the Middle Ages, when the last name first appeared, it was most likely used to identify a fisherman by occupation.
Today, the last name itself is fairly uncommon with an estimated 2,564 people worldwide bearing the name. Due to historical migration patterns, the largest percentages of people with the last name Piscator can be found in Germany (38%) and the Netherlands (17%). Other countries with significant populations include the Czech Republic (12%), Poland (9%), and Hungary (8%).
Beyond Europe, the last name is found throughout the US, Canada, and even parts of South America, with a particularly large population in the state of New York. The majority of these people are likely to be descendants of immigrants from Europe.
Overall, the last name Piscator is primarily found in Europe, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, and is much less common in countries outside the continent.
Variations of the surname Piscator
The surname Piscator has two known variants: Piscatori and Piscatore. Derived from the Latin word piscator, meaning “fisherman,” the name was likely first used as a surname amongst coastal towns in northern Italy. It is likely a descriptive-metonymic name derived from the Latin piscator (fisherman).
Spellings of the surname often vary by region and era. Variants may include: Pecatore, Pecatori, Pisatori, Pissatori, Piscattore, Piscatorio, Piscatore, and Pizzatori.
Surnames of similar origin to Piscator include: Pescatore (Italian for “fisherman”), Pishator (English for “fisherman”), and Pesce (Italian for “fish”).
The surname Piscator is derived from the Latin root word for fisherman, and this has been recorded in various forms across Europe. Variations in spelling and regional variants may exist, but the core meaning is the same. The English spelling of the name is often Pishator, but this is not the only spelling, as variants and other similar surnames also exist. The origin of the surname likely traces back to a fisherman and then back to the Italian coast.
Famous people with the name Piscator
- Erwin Piscator: German theatrical director and producer, often called "the father of modern theatre." He was an early developer of epic theatre, and his major works include The Revolutionary and The Mother.
- Reinhold Piscator: German impresario and stage director. He co-founded and directed the influential Piscator Akademie theatre productions in Berlin and Frankfurt in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Roland Piscator: German theatrical director, designer, dramaturge, writer, teacher and literary agent. He directed Free Theatre shows, and was an early innovator in experimenting with playback theatre.
- Alexander Hartdegen: German philosopher, essayist, novelist, and playwright, who was the mentor and teacher of Erwin Piscator. He is best known for his engaging essays — Elements of Professional Stagecraft and The Delusions of the Actor.
- Marie Jahoda: Austrian sociologist, who was a co-founder of the Piscator Akademie along with Myrna Loy and Erwin Piscator.
- Myrna Loy: American film and stage actress. She was a leading lady in dozens of films during the 1930s and 1940s, and co-founded the Piscator Akademie with Erwin Piscator.
- Henirich Piscator: German cabaret singer and actor.
- Christopher Piscator: American actor, director, and voiceover artist. He has performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as on national tours and in regional theatres around the country.