Surname Peuter - Meaning and Origin
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Peuter: What does the surname Peuter mean?
The last name Peuter is an old Dutch surname. It is derived from the Old Dutch word "Peut," which means "little person" or "young child." This name was likely given to a small or young man when it was first adopted as a surname. As a result, the Peuter surname is generally thought to stem from an occupational nickname for someone who was a young man or an apprentice of a craft.
Other scholars suggest the name could come from an old term of endearment, such as calling a young child “petter” which is similar to the Dutch word of “pet,” which has the translation of loving terms of a child. Similarly, the French “petit” is another related word, likely derived from these terms.
The Peuter surname was first found in the Netherlands in the provinces of Friesland and Drenthe. It is likely the name spread over the border to other countries, including Germany and Austria, in the 1600s. By the late 1800s, it had become a more common surname throughout Europe.
Today, bearers of the Peuter surname are found throughout the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. The name is also quite common in Belgian areas, including Brussels and Flanders. It is also found in other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Order DNA origin analysisPeuter: Where does the name Peuter come from?
The last name Peuter is primarily found in the Netherlands. It is among the 100 most common last names in the country, ranking 56th in popularity according to the 2019 National Names Census. The name is derived from the Dutch word "peer", meaning “Christian” or “disciple”, and originates from the Latin “puer”, which translates to “boy”.
The Netherlands is a relatively tiny country with a population of just over 17 million people, so the name Peuter is not often found in other countries. However, the Dutch have historically had a strong influence in nearby countries and established colonies, playing a major role in international trade and exploration. As a result, there are a few small, scattered pockets of families with the surname Peuter around the world.
The name is sometimes Anglicized as “Pewter”. This variation is most commonly found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania, where Dutch settlers colonized extensively in the late 17th and early 18th century. Because lifestyles have changed drastically in the centuries since, most of the Dutch surnames have faded away, but Pewter is still one of the remnants of the once powerful Dutch presence.
It is difficult to estimate today how many people carry the name Peuter or its variations. It is still popular in the Netherlands and continues to reinforce its Dutch heritage, but (<200) outside of that country, the name is fairly rare.
Variations of the surname Peuter
The popular surname Peuter has its origins in Dutch and German dialects. It has been derived from the German word "pueter," which means "small child," likely referring to an affectionate nickname for someone fond of small children. The spelling of Peuter generally appears most often in Dutch and Frisian dialects in the Netherlands and Northern Germany. It also has many other variants and spellings, including:
• Poeter
• Pouter
• Poeter/Puter
• Putter
• Poter
• Pueter
• Puyter
• Puter
• Poetor
• Pfuter
• Poiter
• Pfuyter
Additionally, there are numerous surnames related to Peuter, including:
• Peuterbach
• Peuterer
• Peuters
• Peuteren
• Peuterick
• Peuterman
• Pueterman
• Peutern
• Peuteroff
• Peuterwitz
• Peutery
• Puetery
• Peutervilt
• Peuterwijk
• Poterzaal.
Peuter is an incredibly popular surname, and its many variants and related surnames make it possible for families who trace the name back to ancient Northern Europe to reconnect with their heritage. It can also be insightful for families to learn which spellings and surnames are related to their family's original surname in order to help them gain a better understanding of their history.
Famous people with the name Peuter
- Thomas Pieters: professional golfer from Belgium.
- Benoît Poelvoorde: Belgian actor and comedian.
- Snoop Dogg (stage name): American rapper.
- Jake Peuter: Dutch professional football player.
- Karel de Grote Peuter: Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist. 6.Coen Peeter: Dutch Olympic cyclist. 7.Harry Peuter: Dutch football player. 8.Paul Peuter: Dutch footballer and manager. 9.Will Peuter: Dutch footballer. 10.Arthur Peuter: Dutch Soccer player.