Surname Petigrew - Meaning and Origin

Petigrew: What does the surname Petigrew mean?

The last name Pettigrew is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the personal name Patrick, and "grew" which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic word "griuadh" meaning "grey". Hence, combined it generally signifies "Patrick the Grey". This could be referring to the color of the person's hair or a characteristic of their personality or reputation. It is believed to have originated from the kingdom of Dalriada in the Scottish west-coast region of Argyll, during the era of the sixth century. As with many other surnames, over the centuries, spelling variations of Pettigrew have included Pettigrew, MacGrew, MacPettigrew, and others. Today, individuals with the last name Pettigrew may be found in various countries, but it remains most common in its region of origin.

Petigrew: Where does the name Petigrew come from?

The last name Petigrew is quite common today, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the last name Petigrew can be found in several states, including Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In the United Kingdom, records indicate that the Petigrew family was mainly concentrated in Scotland and Ireland. It is also notably found in Cumbria and Shropshire, England, and the Isle of Man.

In recent decades, immigration has led to an increasing number of Petigrews in the United States. This includes many families from the Caribbean islands, such as Grenada and the Dominican Republic. The Petigrew family is also common in various parts of Canada, such as Ontario and Quebec.

Queries on genealogy websites demonstrate that Petigrew families are now found as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. A search on the website Ancestry.com reveals that the United States and the United Kingdom are home to the majority of the world’s Petigrews.

Overall, the Petigrew surname can be identified in various parts of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand. Its global presence reflects centuries of migration, war, and cultural exchange, connecting distant family lines through a shared name.

Variations of the surname Petigrew

The surname Petigrew is of English and Scottish origin and has numerous variants and spellings. Variants of the surname Petigrew include Petigru, Petgrave, Pettigrew, Pettigree, Pettigru, Pettigrove, Pettigru and Pettigree. In Scotland, the surname is also spelt "Peddigrew" or "Peitigru". It may also be found as "Peddigree" in some cases.

The surname Petigrew is derived from the Old French personal name "Pieter" which is ultimately derived from the Greek personal name Peter. The root of the name is the Greek word "petros" meaning "rock". This personal name was common in France in the Middle Ages as well as in England.

The surname Petigrew became more common by the 13th century, and by this time, it had derived several different spellings. One of the most recognizable variants is the Scottish spelling of "Peddigrew".

In England, it is thought the name originates from Lancashire, where some of the earliest records of the name were found in the parish of Church Kirkby. A John Petgrave was recorded in 1273.

In Scotland, the name is believed to have originated in Angus and Perthshire and was also recorded in Parishes including St. Andrews. In the records of the Privy Council of Scotland, a William Petigrew was recorded in Edinburgh in 1603.

The name can also be found in Northern Ireland, although it is much rarer than in England and Scotland.

Therefore, in conclusion, the surname Petigrew has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin varying from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and France. It is mostly derived from Old French and Greek personal names with the root word "petros" meaning "rock".

Famous people with the name Petigrew

• Peter Pettigrew: also known as Wormtail, a character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series
• Orson Pettigrew: American film actor
• Neil Pettigrew: Canadian Politician
• Keith Pettigrew: American film director
• Abigail Pettigrew: British author
• George Pettigrew: American singer
• Catherine Pettigrew: Irish comic book artist
• Joseph Pettigrew: Australian surgeon
• Dave Pettigrew: American singer-song writer
• Paul Pettigrew: British politician

Other surnames

Petigru