Surname Pittrof - Meaning and Origin
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Pittrof: What does the surname Pittrof mean?
Pittrof is a surname of German origin that has slowly spread throughout Europe over the centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word 'pfitte' which means 'powerful' or 'strong'. It is also possible that the name is derived from the Middle High German word 'pfitterer', meaning 'a fighter' or 'a striker'.
Throughout the centuries the Pittrof surname has been found in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Sweden, and Denmark. Some of the most prominent people associated with this surname are the Swedish artist and sculptor, Charles Theodore Pittrof; the Hungarian jazz singer, Gréta Pitterof; and the German cabaret artist, Wolfgang Pittrof.
Today, the Pittrof surname is still quite common. In Germany alone there are currently around 9,000 people who carry this surname, and over 30,000 people with the surname live around the world.
Overall, the Pittrof surname carries connotations of strength, power, and courage. Its German origins and strong Mediterranean roots have made it spread and remain a part of many different cultures, allowing it to constantly evolve over time. Despite its roots, this surname remains a wonderful symbol of strength and power.
Order DNA origin analysisPittrof: Where does the name Pittrof come from?
The last name Pittrof is primarily found in Austria and Germany, and much less commonly in other European countries. There are approximately 350 people worldwide with the last name Pittrof, making it a fairly rare surname.
In Austria, the largest concentration of people bearing this surname is in the states of Upper Austria and Lower Austria, with a significant portion living in the capital city of Vienna. There are also several Pittrof families spread throughout the rest of the country. In Germany, the Pfaltz region is home to the largest group of Pittrof family members.
In the United States, individuals with the last name Pittrof are believed to have migrated from Austria and Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are primarily concentrated along the east coast in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia. There are also similar numbers in California, with few individuals in the southwestern states.
In Australia, there are several families with the surname Pittrof, primarily from German-speaking backgrounds. Additionally, individuals from eastern European countries, including Serbia, Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine, may also carry the last name.
Overall, people with the last name Pittrof are most commonly found in Austria and Germany, though there are also significant numbers in the United States, Australia, and other European countries. As such, the surname Pittrof can be considered a fairly rare one, but its presence is still somewhat widespread.
Variations of the surname Pittrof
Pittrof is a rare surname of German origin. It originated in the German state of Bavaria, where the name was most likely derived from the German word 'petrifikat', which translates to 'petrified', suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have come from a place with petrified trees or fossils.
Variants of the surname Pittrof might include Pittroff, Pettroff, Petritsch, Pitterof, Pietroff, Pedtrof, Petritsch, Pitteroff, Piettrof, Pittoff, Petrof and Pettyrof.
The surnames may also be spelled as Pitteroff, Pittraf, Petroff, Pietroff, Pettrich, Petrifikat, Petrig, Petrich, Pedtrell, Pettrell, Peddrell and Pittrell. All of these spellings and variants of the surname Pittrof are descendants from the original name.
In some cases, the surname may have become corrupted in the process of passing it down through the generations, leading to similar, but slightly different spellings such as Peteroff, Petteroff, Petteroff and Pitraf.
Another common variation of the surname is Petrowitsch, which is a more modern alteration of the name, adopted by mainly Russian-speaking families.
The surname Pittrof is uncommon, but it is nonetheless a distinct and unique name with a long history and a wide range of spellings and derivations.
Famous people with the name Pittrof
- Brad Pitt: Actor, film producer, and philanthropist.
- Robert Pittroff: American football player.
- Ernest Pittroff: Politician from Wisconsin.
- Joseph Pittroff: Member of the US Navy, who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
- Ella Pittrof: Early 20th century Austrian-American actress and playwright.
- Raymond Pittroff: US Army officer and engineer.
- Steve Pittroff: Post-production professional and director, most known for his work on “The Last Starfighter”.
- James Pittroff: Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy during World War II.
- Leo Pittrof: Early 20th century American professional boxer.
- Harry Lewis Pittroff: Early 20th century American doctor.