Surname Pfitzenreuter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pfitzenreuter: What does the surname Pfitzenreuter mean?
Pfitzenreuter is a German surname derived from the Middle High German Pfizzenrüter, meaning “‘one who claims back’.” It is composed of the two parts pfitzen, meaning “to claim something back,” and rüter, meaning “knight.”
It was once probably an occupational name and was held by a bailiff. These officers, in the feudal system, were primarily responsible for the collection of debts due to their lord as well as the management of his estates. Later, this name was also used to refer to tax collectors or court messengers.
The name Pfitzenreuter is mostly found around Bavaria and Saxony in Germany, but has also cropped up in Austria, Poland, and northern Italy. This could suggest that either some of the people with this name had to flee persecution over the centuries, or that people with this name settled in various parts of Europe over time.
The current-day descendants of the Pfitzenreuter might not know many of the origins of the surname; however, it is likely that the family, at least in its early days, played an important role in German feudal society hundreds of years ago.
Order DNA origin analysisPfitzenreuter: Where does the name Pfitzenreuter come from?
The surname Pfitzenreuter is most common in Germany today. It originated in Bavaria, in the southern part of the country, and is documented as early as 1260 with records in the region. There is also evidence of the surname in the Alsace region of France, suggesting the name spread south during the early migration of Germans to that area. Records of the name in Germany itself range from as far north as the Hanover region to as far south as Bavaria, where it is most common.
The use of the name Pfitzenreuter in Germany can largely be traced to south-central Bavaria, particularly the Chiemgau region, historically known as an area of settlement for German immigrants. It is also found in some areas of Austria and Switzerland. The surname remains relatively rare in modern times, although with renewed immigration to Germany from Central and Eastern Europe, particularly since the resolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the surname is slowly becoming more common.
In non-German speaking countries, while the surname remains rare, it is not unheard of. There are numerous records of the surname in the United States, England, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe.
Variations of the surname Pfitzenreuter
The Pfitzenreuter surname originates from Germany and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Pfitzenmaier, Pfitzner, Pfitzenmeyer, Fritzenmeier, Fritzenmaier, and Fritzenmeyer.
Pfitzenreuter is a topographical surname of German origin, which means "one who hails from a place known for its wells". The root of the word is Teutonic and refers to the shallow wells lined with clay bricks, or, as spelled in modern German, “Pfitzen.”
The Pfitzenreuter surname may have originally been derived from a place of origin or from a particular ancestor with similar characteristics. This would account for slight variations in spelling when the name was passed down through generations.
Other variants of the Pfitzenreuter surname include Pfeitenreiter, Freitzenreuter, Fritzenreuter, Fitze, Fitzgerald, Fitzsimmons, Fitzwilliam, Pfitzenrieger, Fridiziner, and Friditenrider. Many of these names are variations of Pfitzenreuter, such as Pfeitenreiter which may have originated from the specific region where an ancestor of this surname lived.
The surnames Pfitzenreuter or Pfitzner may also be found in records with the German words "von" or "zu" preceding them. This indicates that the individual may have been a member of the nobility or held a certain rank in the community in which they lived.
The surname Pfitzenreuter is a unique one, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Despite being used to describe a geographic origin or an individual’s notable characteristics, the words still retain an air of sophistication.
Famous people with the name Pfitzenreuter
- Thomas Pfitzenreuter: Thomas is a German artist who creates works that explore the relationship between communication, technology, and digital art.
- Julius Pfitzenreuter: Julius was a German composer and a propagator of the so-called Niederfeld or Low Field organs.
- Henry Pfitzenreuter: Henry was a German avant-garde composer and founder of the pioneering electronic label, Irdial.
- Johannes Pfitzenreuter: Johannes is a German organist and musicologist who served as director of the Institute for Music and Theology in Heidelberg, Germany.
- Carl Pfitzenreuter: Carl was a German organist and composer most noted for his works for organ and his piano works.
- Victoria Pfitzenreuter: Victoria is an Austrian handball player and member of the Austrian national handball team.
- Mark Pfitzenreuter: Mark is an American author, editor, and entrepreneur who works in the entertainment industry.
- Wolfgang Pfitzenreuter: Wolfgang is a German sculptor and painter who works primarily in bronze and is the author of several books on sculpture and painting.
- Maria Pfitzenreuter: Maria is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League.
- Bernhard Pfitzenreuter: Bernhard is an Austrian composer and musicologist. He is the author of several books on music and musicology.