Surname Pielstick - Meaning and Origin
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Pielstick: What does the surname Pielstick mean?
Pielstick is an old German surname. It is derived from the combination of two German words, ‘Piehl,’ meaning “axe” and “Stick,” meaning “wooden”. It is believed that the name originates from the wooden pole on an axe, as such tools were essential to the profession of the early Pielstick ancestors, who likely worked as woodcutters. It is quite likely that these woodcutters used their surnames, Pielstick, as a sign of pride in their chosen field of work.
In modern usage, the last name “Pielstick” is sometimes alternatively spelled as “Piehlstick” or “Piehlstich” to reflect more accurately the words from which it is derived. Despite its Germanic origins, Pielstick is a rather common surname among English-speaking populations, particularly in the United States and Australia.
This surname is primarily associated with ancestral woodworking and carpentry, however some individuals have chosen to use or adopt the surname for their profession or business. Today, individuals with the name of Pielstick may own renowned woodworking factories, build beautiful log cabins, or restore antique furniture and antiques to their former glory.
Regardless of the chosen trade, the Pielstick surname is all which is indicative of a hardworking and industrious individual seeking to make a living by creating something beautiful out of nothing.
Order DNA origin analysisPielstick: Where does the name Pielstick come from?
The surname Pielstick is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from a Germanic personal name ‘Pilger’, which means a pilgrim. The first mention of this name was in 1280 when a ‘Pilger Pielstick’ was recorded in the register of the cathedral in Havelberg. The surname has spread to other parts of Europe, particularly to Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to be a variant of Pülscher, which was a common name for a craftsman or a shoemaker in medieval Germany.
In the United States, Pielstick is not a widely used surname, as it is not an original surname of any American immigrants. However, it is found in a few states, mostly in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Ohio. Currently there are less than a hundred people bearing the last name Pielstick in the US.
Aside from Germany, Belgium, and the United States, the surname could also be found in other parts of the world such as Australia, Canada, France, South Africa, and even the United Arab Emirates. Although the name is relatively rare, its usage is slowly increasing, which could mean that the Pielstick surname is here to stay.
Variations of the surname Pielstick
The surname Pielstick is derived from the Middle Low German word peutzel which means “baker” or “bread-maker.” Variants of this surname include Pieltz, Piltz, Piel, Pellstick, Pettickel, Petzel, and Pelz. Spellings of the name include Piehlstick, Pelzstick, P�lzstick, Pelstick, and Peltzstick.
Other surnames derived from the Middle Low German word peutzel include Petzold, Pethman, Pethick, Pape, Patzke, Patzel, Sputz, Thitze, and Thutzel. Variants of these surnames include Pitzold, Petzhold, Petzman, Petchman, Pap, Patzek, Patschke, Patschl, Spitz, Titze, and Th�tzel. Spellings of these surnames include Pe�zold, Petzel, Petzmann, Petman, Papp, Patz, Patschkel, Patzk, Sp�tz, Titz, and Th�tzl.
The English derivative of these surnames is Petticord, with variants such as Peticord, Petticot, Petticord, Patticord, Pettigrew, Pettigrove, Pettigru, Petigrue, Papicord, and Papigru. Spellings of the name include Pieticord, Petecorde, Petecot, Peticort, Petigrove, Petigrow, Pattigru, Pettaigre, Pettaigrue, and Pappicord.
Overall, Pielstick is a unique surname with many variants, spellings and related surnames derived over time from the Middle Low German word peutzel.
Famous people with the name Pielstick
- Peter Pielstick: American diver who represented the United States at the 1984 Olympics.
- Andrew Pielstick: NFL quarterback who briefly played for the San Diego Chargers in 1995.
- Richard Pielstick: Maritime-born American who was the Acting Secretary of the Navy from 1979 to 1981.
- Ryan Pielstick: American football tight end who played for the Arizona Cardinals in 1997.
- George M. Pielsticker: US Navy submarine specialist who was in charge of the design and development of several classes of nuclear submarines in the 1940s and 1950s.
- John Pielstick: prolific American composer especially of organ and choral music.
- Paul Pielstick: Award-winning sportswriter and author of several books on the history of college football.
- Charles Pielstick: American actor who appeared in a number of television series in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Kenneth Pielstick: Technical Advisor and Coordinator of Computer Applications for The Smithsonian Institution in the late 1960s-early 1970s.
- David Pielstick: Deputy Director for the US Department of Defense's Joint Program Office for Space Launch in the 1990s.