Surname Peterli - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Peterli: What does the surname Peterli mean?
The surname Peterli is one that is found quite commonly in parts of Europe. Its origin is thought to be Germanic, from the personal name Peter, which is derived from the Greek word meaning 'rock'. The suffix '-li', sometimes spelled as 'ly', generally means 'little' or 'belonging to', implying that those with the surname Peterli were descendants of someone with the given name Peter. The surname was adopted by families in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
In Switzerland, the surname Peterli is carried mainly in the canton of Grisons, being most common in the mountainous regions of the country, particularly in the communities of Flims, Klosters, Davos, and Goms. It is also found in parts of Germany, most notably in the Rhineland and Bavaria.
The surname has multiple variants, the most prevalent being Peterlee, Petermann, and Petrasch. It is possible that families with the surname Peterli have adopted different variants over generations as part of the process of immigration and relocation.
In addition to being a family name, the surname Peterli has been used as the first name of a variety of businesses, including Peterli Stores, a clothing store headquartered in Giswil, Switzerland, and Peterli & Co, a manufacturer of log cabins in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Despite its Germanic origin, the surname Peterli has also been adopted by some families whose roots are not in Europe. It appears as a relatively uncommon name in the United States, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Social Security Administration's list of surnames from the 1880s. The name has come to take on its own distinct identity, with families of many different backgrounds proudly adopting it as their own.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterli: Where does the name Peterli come from?
The last name Peterli is most common today in Switzerland. The majority of people with the Peterli surname are found in the Zurich and Valais cantons.
The Peterli name has a long and unique history, originating from Luzern, Switzerland as early as 1262. The Peterli family was first mentioned in Sankt Peterli or St. Peterli, a town located in the canton of Zurich. It has been suggested that the name Peterli may have also originated from the Latin word 'petrus' meaning 'rock'.
Throughout the centuries, the Peterli surname has spread throughout Switzerland and in some areas of Europe and the United States. In Europe, Peterli is a common name in Germany, Austria, and Romania. In the United States, it is found most often in Pennsylvania.
In terms of recent numbers, the last name Peterli is ranked 4,841st in Switzerland and 70,092nd in the United States for the 2018 census.
In conclusion, the last name Peterli is most common today in Switzerland, with small populations found in other parts of Europe and the United States. The Peterli name has a long and unique history, originating from Luzern, Switzerland in 1262 and has since spread to the aforementioned areas.
Variations of the surname Peterli
Peterli is a surname derived from the German given name Peter. It is most frequently seen in Switzerland and is a toponymic name for people with a connection to the village of Pieterlen in the Swiss canton of Bern.
Variants of this surname include Pieterlen or Petra, which are used in the same region of Switzerland. Spellings which are seen abroad in regions which received immigrants from Switzerland include Petril, Petrill, Petrol, and Petrole.
In some cases, the suffix -li has been dropped altogether and the name is seen spelled as Peter. The variants Perler and Parolo are also seen, especially in northern Italy and some parts of France where immigrants from Switzerland settled.
Surnames of a similar origin include Petrelli, Pietrelli, Pietralunga, Pieralli, Petrellina, Petrello, and Petrillo. All of which are derived from the given name Peter and can be found in the same parts of Europe where the surname Peterli is prominent.
These surnames are all variations on the same theme and suggest a connection between the families who adopted the name. It likely reflects the trend of people in the Middle Ages to identify with a particular family name rather than their given name.
Famous people with the name Peterli
- Andrea Peterli: a Swiss middle distance runner
- Philippe Peterli: a Swiss former ice hockey player
- Alain Peterli: a Swiss former footballer
- Vittorio Peterli: a Swiss actor
- Jacques Peterli: a Swiss sculptor
- Paulo Peterli: a Brazilian former football player
- Henry Peterli: a former American water polo player
- Zsuzsanna Peterli: a former Hungarian sprinter
- Claudio Peterli: a Swiss football manager
- Raphael Peterli: a Swiss former football player