Surname Peterlik - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Peterlik: What does the surname Peterlik mean?
The surname Peterlik is an occupational name derived from the Slovak word for “carpenter” (peter). As such, it was originally likely given to a craftsman or woodworker.
The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to as early as 1773, when a Joannes Peterlik was mentioned in a court record in the village of Hlavacka in the Zdoune District of Slovakia. By the 19th century, the name had spread to other locations in the former Czechoslovakia, including Poprad, Mali Brezany, and Osturňa.
The name is also found in various forms in neighboring countries, including Peterlé in Hungary and Peterlij in Serbia. The name likely continues to be used today for those descended from the original namesake.
Today, Peterlik is still predominantly associated with the craft of carpentry and woodworking in general, with many people bearing the name having either pursued or continued on the original family tradition. Others may have taken up the surname in order to honor their ancestors. Either way, the name speaks to a long heritage of craftsmanship dedicated to creating beauty out of wood.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterlik: Where does the name Peterlik come from?
The last name Peterlik is not particularly common today, but there have been records of the name in Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic since the 18th century. It is possible that the name originated in Austria during the Middle Ages when it recorded as a personal name.
The earliest records of the Peterlik surname in Austria date back to the 14th century in the greater Vienna region. There have also been traces of a mention of the name in 17th century records of the Habsburg Empire, which ruled most of Europe from 1526 to 1780.
The surname has also been documented in Slovakia during the 19th century when records show at least one family spelled the name Peterlík. In nearby Slovenia there were at least two families with the name during the same century. There are no records of the name in the Czech Republic until the 20th century.
At present, the Peterlik name is uncommon but it appears to have persisted throughout the centuries in these neighboring countries. It is possible that other families with the name live in Eastern Europe, possibly in Hungary or Poland, but only further research can uncover them.
Variations of the surname Peterlik
Peterlik is a surname with a variety of spelling forms found across Europe. In its original form, the name is derived from the given name Peter, which is from the Greek word petros meaning “rock”. The most common variants of the surname Peterlik are the Czech and Slovak forms Petrálek and Petrak, as well as the Hungarian form Petrák.
In German, the spelling Petralik is found, while the Latvian variant is Pietrāle. In Poland, the surnames Pieczara or Piekarczyk are more common, both of which derive from the Polish word piekarz, meaning “baker”. In Finland, the surname Peittari is found which is believed to derive from the Finnish word peittaa, meaning “to cover”.
In Slovenia, the surnames Pietrulek or Petrovič are more common, while in Croatia the surname Petričko is most common. In Austria, the surname Petrulevics is found, while in Ukraine the variants Petryk and Petryshyn are found.
In the United States, the more common variants of Peterlik are the German Petralik, the Slovenian Pietrulek, and the Swedish Pettersson. Other minor variants include Pitala (Poland), Petras (Lithuania), and Pietla (Slovakia). All of these surnames could be considered to have common origins in the name Peter, and all signify variations of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Peterlik
- Peter Michael Peterlik: a Slovak composer, editor, arranger and conductor.
- Alexander Peterlik: a renowned Austrian-born composer and pianist, particularly remembered for his chamber and solo piano works.
- Maurice Peterlik: a Swiss Olympic bronze medalist in gymnastics who participated in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
- Péter Peterlik: a Hungarian doctor, professor, and researcher, specializing in public health related to water supplies, infectious diseases, and medical entomology.
- Walter Peterlik: an Austrian diplomat who represented his country in the negotiations of the Austrian-Hungarian State Treaty and served as his country’s ambassador to the Soviet Union and Mexico.
- Werner Peterlik: an Austrian bobsledder who competed in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
- Artur Ignátz Peterlik: a prominent 19th century Hungarian-Slovak military figure, best remembered for serving as commander of the Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk Army in World War I.
- Peter Peterlik: an Austrian television director and comedian, who has been involved in various television and radio programs in his native country.
- Doreen Peterlik: a German actress who has been active in television and film roles since the early 1970s.
- Karl Peterlik: an Austrian cross-country skier who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.