Surname Pettygrove - Meaning and Origin

Pettygrove: What does the surname Pettygrove mean?

The surname Pettygrove is of English origin but its exact meaning is not clear or well documented. Like many surnames, it is likely to be locational indicating a topographical feature of the ancestral home or an area or place in England. The component "petty" could be a corruption of the old French "petit" meaning small, while "grove" generally refers to a small group of trees. Thus, it might possibly mean "small grove". Since Pettygrove is not a common surname, its true origin and meaning might have been lost over time. As with many surnames, the specific meaning often depends on the family history and context. For instance, in the United States, the name Pettygrove is associated with Francis Pettygrove, who co-founded the cities of Portland, Oregon, and Port Townsend, Washington.

Pettygrove: Where does the name Pettygrove come from?

The last name Pettygrove is most commonly found today in the United States, primarily in the states of Oregon, Washington, and California. It is thought that the Pettygrove surname originated in what is now the United Kingdom.

In the early 1800s, William Pettygrove, a settler of Portland, Oregon, was among the first to be given the Pettygrove name. Today, Pettygroves can be found throughout Oregon, Washington, and California, especially in the cities and towns of Portland, Salem, Tacoma, Vancouver, Everett, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Moses Lake, and Kirkland.

The majority of the Pettygroves living in the United States are descendants of William Pettygrove who immigrated to Portland in the early 1800s. Since then, the Pettygrove name has remained in the region, growing and spreading over time. With their long-standing presence in the area, Pettygroves have become an integral part of the Northwest's culture and history.

The name Pettygrove can also be found in other countries around the world, particularly in the UK and Canada, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and South Africa. Nevertheless, the Pettygrove lineage remains strongest in the United States, particularly in the Northwest.

Variations of the surname Pettygrove

Pettygrove is an old Anglo-Saxon surname. Its spellings and variants can range from Pettegrew, Pettigrew, and Pettigrow to Peddigrew, Peddagree, and Peddigrow. It is primarily of an English origin, deriving from multiple sources and a range of locations within the country.

The name Pettygrove is generally thought to have originated in Lincolnshire, England. In this area, Pettegrew, Pettegree, and Pettygrew are all surnames that are derived from similar sources. It is also possible that some variants of this name originated in Wiltshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire. Variants also occur in Scotland, where the surname is common in the counties of Forfarshire and Aberdeen.

The meaning of the Pettygrove surname is generally thought to come from the words pette, meaning 'small' or 'little', and grove, meaning 'thicket' or 'copse'. Alternatively, the name could have come from the old English terms pette or pytt, which mean 'pit' or 'hollow', and grove, which in this context would refer to a copse or wooded area.

Pettygrove is a surname that has been used in many places throughout history. It is also possible that it is derived from multiple sources throughout Europe. Variations of this name have been around for centuries, making it a very common and well-known surname.

Famous people with the name Pettygrove

• Francis W. Pettygrove: American businessman, entrepreneur, and landowner who co-founded Portland, Oregon.
• William Pettygrove: Portland’s first mayor, and one of the two men who founded the city.
• William Pettygrove Cox: Son of William Pettygrove and president of Portland’s First National Bank.
• William Tristram Pettygrove: Grandson of William Pettygrove, and second mayor of Portland after his grandfather.
• Francis Pettygrove Ellis: Son of William Pettygrove Cox, and served as mayor of Portland from 1915 to 1917.
• Alfred Cox Pettygrove: Mayor of Portland from 1919 to 1920.
• H. Russell Pettygrove: American business executive and president of Portland’s First National Bank.
• Wade F. Pettygrove: American entrepreneur, lawyer, and longtime mayor of Portland.
• Charles Pettygrove: American businessman and owner of The Portland Co.
• Mike Pettygrove: Former senior executive of the Portland-based startup company, Jejari Technologies.

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