Surname Pewitt - Meaning and Origin
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Pewitt: What does the surname Pewitt mean?
The last name Pewitt is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the given name, Percival. Its variant spellings include Prewitt, Previtt, Pruett, Privett, Pruett, Preuit, Prewit, Prewit, Preuitt, Pruet, Preutt, Priveit, Pruett, Pruitt, Preuet, Pryor, Thewitt, Thewatt, Pewit, and Pueatts.
The name is thought to be related to the French surname Prévost, which is a variant of the Latin name Praepositus, meaning 'one in charge'. The name is made up of two parts, pre (meaning before) and positus (meaning placed). Together, it implies someone who was placed in a position of authority or leadership.
The surname Pewitt has been found in many records in churches and parish registers in England, as far back as the 1500s. In some of these instances, it is spelled as Preweit, Preuit and Prevot, which may also suggest that it derived from the Latin word praepositus.
Throughout history, the name Pewitt has been linked to a notable number of individuals, including Anglican minister Thomas Preweit, Puritan pastor John Preuit, and British Major General Hugh Gough Pruett.
Today, the surname Pewitt is found mainly in England and the United States. It is estimated that there are currently around 8,500 individuals in the world today that carry the Pewitt last name.
Order DNA origin analysisPewitt: Where does the name Pewitt come from?
The last name Pewitt is commonly found in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, the Pewitt surname is ranked just over 27,000th in popularity in the U.S. Many of the Pewitts living in the U.S. today reside in the Midwest, including Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. It is also fairly common in the Southern states of Arkansas and Mississippi.
In terms of genetic genealogy, the Pewitt name is associated with the R1b-M269 haplogroup. This haplogroup is most commonly found in Western Europe, and particularly the British Isles. It is believed to have originated in the British Isles, and spread out to the rest of western and central Europe. Its highest concentrations are often found in the British Isles, France, and Germany.
The Pewitt surname is believed to have come from the French family name Puitele, which was derived from an Old French personal name Puitte. The Puitte name can be found in some old documents from the 13th century in Italy and France. This name is thought to come from the Latin puteolus, meaning “little well.” This could suggest the Pewitt family’s link to a well known in a certain area, and could trace their roots back to a certain region in Europe.
Variations of the surname Pewitt
The surname Pewitt is an anglicised form of the Norman French name Le Puiset. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can include Peuwet, Puwet, Puit, Puizet, Puizette, Puisette, Puitet, Puiseux, Puise, Peise, Peiseux, Peiseu, Poivre, Peyret, Du Puiset, Du Puizet, Le Puizet, du Poivre and even Pye, Pye-Wark/Pu Wark. While these names may sound similar and even share the same roots, there can be some slight differences in spelling depending on which part of France they are from.
The Pewitt surname is thought to have first appeared in the 13th century, derived from the name of the castle of Pui in the region of L'Aigle in Normandy. The castle was held by Turstin le Puiset, the Count of L'Aigle, from 1077 to 1106. It is believed that the name Puiseux means "of good stock" or "descendant".
The Pewitt surname has a regional and historic origin, and may have been adopted by some families as a sign of prestige and individuality. It is possible that some people with a similar surname may have adopted it due to a distant connection to a noble family. Although it is not immediately recognizable today, the Pewitt surname is a proud reminder of the rich cultural history of France.
Famous people with the name Pewitt
- Lee Pitre-Pewitt: an American mathematician, engineer, independent software consultant, and writer.
- Cody Pewitt: Former MLB Player
- Hamilton Potts Pewitt: Former Major League Baseball player
- William Pewitt: U.S. Congressman from Texas
- Bob Pewitt: Major League Baseball pitcher
- Katelyn Pewitt: Professional model, singer, dancer and actress.
- Billy Pewitt: Former NFL and MLB player
- Richard Pewitt: Board of Directors of Picatinny Arsenal
- Moana Pewitt: Professional actress, vocalist and composer
- Derwood Pewitt: songwriter, singer and musician
- Bette Pewitt: Actress and writer
- Caroline Pewitt: Civil rights activist
- Spencer Pewitt: Fashion designer
- Dave Pewitt: Retired green keeper
- Jeffery Pewitt: American biophysicist and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles
- Michael Pewitt: British journalist
- James Pewitt: Founding member of Strategic Solutions Group
- Steve Pewitt: Composer and musician
- Linda Pewitt: Artistic director at the Nevada Ballet Theatre
- Mark Pewitt: Contemporary artist
- Althea Pewitt: British dive coach.