Surname Pettke - Meaning and Origin
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Pettke: What does the surname Pettke mean?
The last name Pettke is an occupational name from Germany. It most likely originated when people of varying trades started to take a fixed surname in the medieval period. The pet in Pettke is derived from "bast", which is the German word for bast fiber - a material from the inner bark of trees, used to make cords and ropes. This implies that a Pettke ancestor may have been a cord or rope maker by trade.
The suffix “ke” is common in German surnames and is derived from the German word “konig”, which means king or ruler of the home. It is associated with the head of a house, the one with the highest authority. The last name Pettke could have been formed by combining the bast/pet with the rulership/ke to mean that its ancestor was a “maker of cords or ropes in charge of his household.”
Today, the Pettke surname is found throughout the German states and in various other parts of Europe, Africa and North America. It is estimated that over 16,000 people worldwide carry the Pettke name.
Order DNA origin analysisPettke: Where does the name Pettke come from?
The last name Pettke is primarily found in Germany. In fact, according to a 2020 data analysis, the name is the 1,665th most popular family name in the nation.
The majority of people with the last name Pettke live in cities such as Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Rostock, Schwerin, Bochum, Dortmund, Leipzig, Essen, Stuttgart, and Aachen.
Additionally, there is a high concentration of the Pettke surname in Baden-Wurttemberg. This region is located in the Southwest of Germany and includes the city of Stuttgart.
Given the significant presence of the Pettke surname in Germany, it is safe to assume that a small number of the name will be found in Germany's close European neighbors Poland, explaining why it might be found in the US.
Other countries in Europe, where you may also find this surname today include Sweden, where it is the 1,176th most frequent last name, Denmark (1,262nd), Austria (3,454th), and Hungary (3,879th), according to the 2020 data analysis.
Though not as common as in Germany, people with the Pettke surname can also be found in other parts of the world such as the United States, Brazil, Venezuela, and even India.
Variations of the surname Pettke
The surname Pettke is of German or Jewish origin and is derived from the old German personal name “Petke”. This name was originally given to somebody who was a “petty” or “small” person. It is unlikely the name has any coat of arms due to its modest origin, and historically the name was quite rare.
Variants of the surname Pettke include the more commonly found spelling ‘Petke’ and the spelling 'Petzke'. Other similar Jewish and German surnames related to Pettke are ‘Peck’, ‘Pecka’ and ‘Petkewitz’.
The spelling ‘Peck’ is among the most common surnames in the United States, with an estimated 14,782 records in the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000. ‘Peck’ can be broken down into two possible roots – Old English and Old Irish, and is commonly associated with the word “Peek” which means to look or to observe closely.
Variants of the German surname ‘Petzke’ are ‘Petz’ and ‘Petzold’, and variants of the Jewish surname ‘Petkewitz’ include ‘Petke’ and ‘Petkiewitz’.
Finally, another related surname is ‘Pedler’, which is of English origin and is derived from either from the French surname ‘Peddler’, which means “pedlar” or from the Olde English word “paetel”, which means “trader” or “shopkeeper”.
In conclusion, the surname Pettke has a variety of variants, spellings and related surnames, and each of these have their own distinct origins and meanings.
Famous people with the name Pettke
- Sarah Pettke: An award-winning underwater photographer from Florida who specializes in capturing images of tropical fish, coral reefs, and other ocean creatures. She has been featured in National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.
- Steve Pettke: A Seattle-based musician and songwriter who has written and produced music for several movies and television shows, including NBC's SNL and Grey's Anatomy.
- Sean Pettke: The owner of several successful sports apparel companies in California, and the founder of the Pettke House, a clothing label designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
- Jennifer Pettke: A California-based artist specializing in fine art, portraiture and photography. Her work has been featured in galleries across the US, and she has collaborated with celebrities.
- Eric Pettke: An internationally recognized American composer and educator. He has composed music for numerous films, television shows, and concert halls, and also teaches music theory and composition at the University of Southern California.
- Kyle Pettke: An award-winning digital filmmaker and cinematographer from Michigan. He has received numerous awards for his commercial, short film, and documentary work.
- Mark Pettke: A tennis coach and former professional tennis player from California. He has coached many of the top professional players and is recognized as one of the best coaches in the world.
- Lindy Pettke: An independent filmmaker from New York City. She has been nominated for multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.
- John Pettke: A film and television director from California. His credits include the critically acclaimed film Precious, V for Vendetta, and American Splendor.
- Tony Pettke: A successful businessman from Texas. He founded and maintains the company Pettke Development Group, a real estate development company that specializes in residential and commercial investments.