Surname Pelta - Meaning and Origin
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Pelta: What does the surname Pelta mean?
The surname Pelta is of Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word "pelts," which means fur or skin. Thus, it was often attributed to those who were involved in the fur trade or worked as furriers. However, in some cases, the last name Pelta may also have been assigned arbitrarily, not necessarily indicating a person’s occupation. Surnames were not common among Ashkenazic Jews until the end of the 18th century, largely due to regulations introduced by Austrian and Russian authorities. Due to the various languages spoken within Jewish communities (including Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Russian and others), the surname Pelta may have different phonetic spellings. Like many other Jewish surnames, the meaning and usage of Pelta can provide insights into the historical, geographic, occupational, and familial contexts of individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisPelta: Where does the name Pelta come from?
The Pelta surname is of Italian origin and is still common today, particularly in Italy and Argentina. It can also be found amongst old and established families in Southern Spain, Central Mexico and in some isolated areas of South America.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Bernardino Pelta, dated 1576, in the records of the "Arcivescovo di Rneina", Italy. Other records figures include one Palentino Pelta, in 1607. This particular family member is most famous as the first monk to establish a monastery in Turino, Italy.
The name Pelta is believed to be derived from Latin peltarius, a soldier who carried a round shield. This is thought to have been associated with the times in which localised warring between small town ‘duchies’ was responded to with the formation of a soldiery for defence.
More recently, Pelta has come to represent those with links to the arts. In the year 1905, the Pelta family built an academy of art in Sicily. Since then, artists, architects, photographers, designers and multiple public personalities carrying the Pelta name are widely recognised as well as showcased in various media outlets.
The Pelta surname carries a visible presence in Italian society and is respected for its antiquated history and recent contribution to the arts. As such, it continues to be a common surname among those living in Italy, Argentina, and other countries filling a long, traditional family legacy.
Variations of the surname Pelta
The surname Pelta is a rare and interesting one. It can be found spelling variations across Europe and the United States. Some of the most commonly seen variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are listed below:
Pelta: This is the most common spelling of the surname, and can be found in many countries, including the United States, France, Poland, and Romania. It can also be found spelled or abbreviated as Pelt, Pelta, Del Pelta, Peltz, and Peltier.
Del Pelta: This version is commonly found in France and Spain. It means "of the Pelta".
Peltier: This version is commonly found in the United States and France. It is derived from the medieval form of "Pelta", and is most likely a nickname.
Peltz: This version is commonly found in Poland, Germany, and the United States. The modern spelling of "Peltz" is believed to have originated from "Pelta".
Pelt: This spelling is often abbreviated from "Pelta", and is commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
Peltre: This spelling is commonly seen in France, and is considered an archaic spelling of "Pelta".
The rare surname Pelta has many variations and spellings due to its varied origin and the migrations of the people who bore the family name over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Pelta
- Dimitris Pelta: a contemporary Greek basketball player.
- Aphrodite Pelta: an American author, professor, and human rights advocate.
- George Pelta: a former professional soccer player who played 28 games for Panathinaikos in the 1970s.
- Steve Pelta: a Greek American soccer player who spent one season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.
- Spyros Pelta: a former Greek football (soccer) player, and currently head coach of AEK Athens.
- Alex Pelta: a British-Greek actor.
- Vangjel Pelta: an Albanian former football player.
- Mario Pelta: a former Greek professional basketball coach and player.
- Theano Pelta: a Greek actress and television presenter.
- Iphigeneia Pelta: a Greek classical female singer.