Surname Petith - Meaning and Origin
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Petith: What does the surname Petith mean?
The last name Petith can be traced back to the ancient French surnames Petit and Petitot. The two surnames have both been used in France for centuries. The surname can mean "little" or "petite" which are both French words for small, and it is believed that the meaning of the name was transferred from the French to other cultures from which the surname migrated, such as England, Germany, and the United States.
The surname Petith can be traced back to the old French word “petit” or “petite” making the surname one which is representative of a smaller size or stature. In the old French language, the term “petit” was used to describe something which was smaller. This could indicate that the name first began as a descriptive name rather than a hereditary surname.
Traditionally, the Petith surname is most commonly found in south-western France, especially in the region of Aquitaine. It is believed that the surname was one which was adopted due to the fact that those that held the name were identified as smaller or of a smaller stature when compared to those around them.
The Petith surname is a fairly rare one, and it is believed to be of French origin. It is possible that those who currently bear the surname have sometime in their family’s history, moved from France, to other parts of Europe or to the United States. The last name Petith is an interesting one, and it holds quite a bit of history as it has been present in France for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisPetith: Where does the name Petith come from?
The last name Petith is most commonly found in France. This is because it is thought to have been derived from the French words 'petit' and 'petite', which mean small, and indicate that the original bearer of the name was someone who was particularly diminutive in stature.
Today, the last name Petith is most common in the south central region of France, particularly in the Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes area. This is likely due to French surnames being more likely to stay localized in particular regions, rather than spreading across the whole country.
Petith is also found in parts of Switzerland and Belgium, likely due to French migration into these regions throughout history. Furthermore, it can also be found in some parts of Canada, the United States, and other parts of the French-speaking world.
The spelling of the name may have evolved over time too, as its American variants include Pitth, Pethy, and Pettit.
No matter where in the world you find it, the last name Petith is likely to be derived from the French language, and is a reminder of how French influence has been spread through the world for hundreds of years.
Variations of the surname Petith
The surname Petith is an old French name with variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Variants of Petith include Petit, Pettit, and Petite. Similarly spelled surnames include Petty, Pettie, Pettee, Pettey, Pettey, and Petteys. Surnames of similar origin include Pettit, Pètit, Peteghem, and Piette.
The origins of this surname go back to the medieval period when land holdings and surnames were inherited rather than chosen. Petith is derived from the Old French word “petit”, meaning “small”. It was often used to describe somebody who was of lesser stature as compared to others in the family.
The modern spelling of Petith has its roots in the Norman language, although the roots of Petit, Pettit, and Petite can be traced back to the Latinized form pitius, meaning “little”. Over time, these variations were further adapted to English-speaking areas in Europe.
In some instances, Petith can also be spelled as Petith, Pethith, and Petidth. These variations are hardly heard today and it is more common to find the standard spelling “Petith” being used.
The Petith family is believed to have been around since at least the 13th century, however the earliest record dates back to the 16th century in England when Geoffrey Pettit was listed in a tax role. Petith is derived from the French word meaning “little” and is believed to have been used as a nickname or descriptor of someone’s size. Today, Petith is mostly found in the United States and Canada, with fewer occurrences in Europe.
Famous people with the name Petith
- David Petith, Australian rules footballer.
- Lonie Petith, English professional footballer.
- Arthur Petith, English cricketer and rugby player.
- Sir William Petith, Member of Parliament for Wexford.
- Corrie Petith, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party from 1962 to 1966.
- Zoe Petith, British actress.
- Tessa Petith, Australian sculptor and painter.
- Kevin Petith, Jamaican footballer.
- John Petith, English clergyman.
- George Petith, English amateur cricketer.