Surname Petkow - Meaning and Origin

Petkow: What does the surname Petkow mean?

The surname Petkow is derived from the Slavic personal name of the same spelling. Its literal translation is ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’, which suggests that those bearing the name had an important spiritual purpose in society. It can also be seen as a variation of the name Petkov, which is an old Bulgarian surname also found in the countries of Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia.

In the old days, the name Petkow was often found among the priestly and upper classes of society. But in more recent centuries, it has become more widespread. Petkow is also the name of a village in southwest Bulgaria.

The meaning behind the name Petkow conveys qualities of determination, strength of spirit, and the ability to succeed against all odds. Those with this name are likely to be patient, wise, and accomplished. They are often seen as the always-helping and support-giving friend and family member.

The Petkow family may be a big one, and it’s a great way to trace your ancestors. It is an often overlooked surname, but those with it often have strong convictions and a deep sense of family.

Petkow: Where does the name Petkow come from?

The last name Petkow is common in countries in Central and Eastern Europe today. It is most commonly found in Poland, where it was first documented in the early 14th century. It derived from a Slavic word meaning “ploughman” and is thought to have originated from the medieval word for the holder of a noble estate.

In Russia, the name is relatively common in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. In fact, the surname Petkow is patronymic in origin and is especially abundant in St. Petersburg where it is among the 15 most common surnames.

The surname is also widely found in Ukraine, Belarus, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Hungary. There are even small numbers of people with the surname in Armenia, Iraq, and Israel.

In the United States, the last name Petkow is not as common. It did not arrive with the waves of immigrants that moved to the US in the 19th century, and today it is a fairly rare surname. According to census data from 2018, there are only 418 people with the last name in the US.

Variations of the surname Petkow

The Petkow surname is of Slavic origin. There are several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin as Petkow, each with its own individual root and history.

The two most common variants of Petkow are Petkovic and Petkovitch. Petkovic is the most common variant in many Slavic countries including Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia. Similarly, Petkovitch also becomes popular in those same regions. Both Petkovic and Petkovitch are derived from the root Greek word "petros" which translates to "stone" in English. This is why many people with these surnames refer to themselves as "Petkow people" because it aligns with their unique origin story referring to the unique stones which originate from their homeland.

In other countries, such as German, this surname is often spelled as Petko. This is a Germanified version of the same root Greek word, and was popularized in the 18th century as a result of the migration of people from Slavic countries into these regions.

Other surnames that share a similar root include Petkowka, Petkowsky, Petkoff, and Petkivid. These surnames can be found in many Slavic countries, as well as in places like Russia, The United States, Canada, and Australia. These are usually given as patronymic names used to identify a particular family unit.

It is clear that the Petkow surname has variants all around the world, each with its very own root and history. It is fascinating to see how this surname has spread throughout the world, and how it has been adapted to fit different cultural contexts.

Famous people with the name Petkow

• Tihomir Petkow: Bulgarian writer, playwright, director, and producer.
• Cristina Petkow: Brazilian actress and TV presenter.
• Ingrid Petkow: Brazilian actress, director, and writer.
• Hristo Petkov: Bulgarian composer, arranger, and lyricist.
• Marija Petkow: Macedonian macedonist (scholar in the field of Macedonian studies).
• Klara Petkow: Austrian writer and artist.
• Nikolay Petkov: Bulgarian artist, painter, and art director.
• Ivan Petkow: Bulgarian architect and university professor.
• Dimitar Petkov: Bulgarian writer, journalist, and editor.
• Dimitar Petkow: Bulgarian actor and painter.
• Miodrag Petkow: Slovenian actor.
• Valko Petkov: Bulgarian writer, theater director, and actor.
• Kristina Petkow: German-Polish actress.
• Peter Petkow: German psychologist and psychotherapist.
• Thomas Petkow- Canadian actor.
• Rytel Petkow- Brazilian actress and director.
• Aldo Petkow: Uruguayan cyclist.
• Carins Petkow: Australian actor and writer.
• Pavel Petkow: Russian football player.
• Christoph Petkow: German Olympic swimmer.

Other surnames

PetkoPetkofPetkovPetkovaPetkovicPetkovskaPetkovskiPetkowitsch