Surname Peterson - Meaning and Origin
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Q. Peterson
read morePeterson: What does the surname Peterson mean?
The surname Peterson is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the patronymic name "Petersen" which means "son of Peter." Patronyms are names based on the given name of a male child's father. "Peter" comes from the Greek name "Petros" meaning stone or rock, so Peterson could be also interpreted as "son of the rock/stone." It is found in many forms and spellings in different countries, including Petersson, Pederson, Pehrsson, and Perhsson. The surname Peterson emerged as a major surname in several Northern European countries including Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and it is also commonly found among people of Scottish descent. In England, it came into use after the Norman conquest in 1066. Today, Peterson is a common surname in many English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterson: Where does the name Peterson come from?
The last name Peterson is of Scandinavian origin, more specifically, Sweden and Denmark. The name is patronymic, meaning it is derived from the personal name of a male ancestor. In this case, Peterson translates to "son of Peter." This type of surname became common during the late Middle Ages in Scandinavia when inherited family names were not yet in use, and instead, children were often identified by their father’s name.
It is important to note that variations of Peterson exist in different Scandinavian countries due to linguistic differences - for instance, it's Petersen in Denmark and Norway, and Pettersson in Sweden.
Today, "Peterson" is most common in the United States due to the significant Scandinavian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Particularly, it's found in higher proportions in the states of Minnesota, Utah, and Iowa, where many Scandinavian immigrants settled. The name is also prevalent in Canada, Australia, and England. In Sweden, the variant "Pettersson" is widespread. For Denmark and Norway, "Petersen" remains common.
Variations of the surname Peterson
The surname Peterson originates from the patrynomic tradition of the Norse language and means "son of Peter". This surname has several variants, spellings, and comes from the same origin as some other surnames.
Common variants and spelling variations include: Petterson, Petersen, Pierson, Paterson, Pattison, Petersonne, Pedersen, and Perkinson. Pedersen, for example, is a popular Scandinavian variation of Peterson.
Names derived from the same origin include the surname Peters, which simply drops the 'son'. It’s also found as a first name, often in the format of Peter’s son.
The surname can also feature in compound surnames where the name Peter is coupled with another name, for example Peter-Smith. Differences in spelling occur due to regional variations, personal preference, changes over time, and errors in recording.
Given the patronymic origin, many related surnames exist in different cultures. For instance, in Russian it might Petrov, in Arabic it could be Boutros, and in Spanish it's often seen as Pedroso or Paredes.
Each variation has its unique twist but connects back to the original meaning of "son of Peter". This highlights the wide reach and influence of this surname across different cultures and regions.
Famous people with the name Peterson
- Mauricio “Shogun” Rua: MMA fighter
- Brian Peterson: American cinematographer
- Warren Peterson: American actor
- Robby Peterson: American control theorist
- William J. Peterson: American football player
- Grant Peterson: American musician
- John I. Peterson: American businessman
- Suzy Peterson: American singer
- Lee Peterson: American Food Network chef
- Eric Peterson: Canadian actor
- Daniel Peterson: American philologist and religious historian
- Richard Peterson: American sociologist
- Randy Peterson: American basketball player
- Barret Peterson: American NASCAR driver
- Mattis Peterson: American violinist
- Chris Peterson: American comic book writer
- Damon Peterson: American football player
- Marion H. Peterson: American entertainer
- Amber Peterson: Australian actor
- Reuben Peterson: American football player