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Last Name Petre

What is the origin of the last name Petre?

The surname Petre is of Latin origin and is derived from the given name "Petrus," which means "rock" in Greek. In the Middle Ages, it was a popular name among Christians due to its association with Saint Peter, one of the apostles in the New Testament. Over time, the name evolved into various forms such as Petra, Petrey, and Pettrelli across different regions and cultures, eventually becoming Petre as a last name in some families.

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Petre

The meaning and origin of the last name Petre

The surname Petre is primarily of English origin, derived from various sources. One possible origin stems from a Norman name, 'Petit' or 'Le Petit', which translates to 'the small one' in French. Over time, this name evolved into Petre, Pettinger, and other similar variations in England. Another theory suggests that the name could have been a pet form of the given names Peter or Patricius, meaning 'rock' or 'noble'. The adoption of the surname Petre can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror and his followers brought their names with them to England. Throughout history, the name Petre has been distributed among various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Geographical distribution of the last name Petre

The surname Petre has a significant presence primarily in Eastern Europe, with Romania being the country where it is most common. In Romania, it ranks among the top 20 most frequent surnames. Besides Romania, other countries in the region such as Moldova, Bulgaria, and Ukraine also show a high concentration of individuals bearing this name. The surname Petre can also be found in smaller numbers in other European countries like Italy, Greece, and Russia due to historical migrations or cultural connections with Eastern Europe. In North America, it is primarily concentrated among Romanian immigrants, predominantly in the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Petre

The surname Petre has various spellings and variations across different regions and time periods. Some common variants include Petter, Pette, Pettersson, Pettersen, Peters, Peterson, Peterse, and Petrish. These variations can occur due to factors such as transliteration from other languages, regional dialects, or simply personal preference. The surname is of Latin origin, derived from the given name Petrus, meaning "rock" in Greek. It has been popular in many English-speaking countries, particularly Scandinavia where it is often found with additional -son or -sson endings indicating son of.

Famous people with the last name Petre

Notable individuals with the surname Petres include:

1. Vasile Petrescu (1894-1957), a Romanian inventor and engineer who is considered the father of modern Romanian aviation. He designed and built several aircraft, including the first successful Romanian airplane.

2. Elena Petrescu (born 1960), a Romanian mathematician known for her work in partial differential equations and nonlinear analysis. She is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society.

3. Ioan I. Petrescu (1884-1957), a Romanian architect and urban planner who was influential in the early 20th century. He designed several notable buildings, including the National Bank of Romania.

4. Alexandru Petrescu (born 1963), a Romanian journalist and politician who served as Minister of Administration and Interior from 2017 to 2019.

5. Maria-Magdalena Petrescu (born 1975), a Romanian-Canadian astrophysicist known for her work on neutron stars, black holes, and gravitational waves. She is currently the Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics at the University of Montreal.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as aviation, mathematics, architecture, politics, and astrophysics.

Genealogical research on the last name Petre

The surname Petre is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "petit" meaning small or little. It was often used as a nickname for someone who was small in stature. The name has been found in various regions of France, with early records dating back to the 13th century.

In England, the name Petre emerged during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when William the Conqueror brought over numerous French nobles and their families. One notable English family bearing this surname was the Petres of Writtle, Essex, whose ancestor, John de Petre, fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The name also spread to other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, due to migrations during the Middle Ages. Notable bearers of the surname include Sir John Petre, a 16th-century English courtier and politician, and Alexander Petrie, a Scottish poet and historian from the late 15th century.

In modern times, the Petre family is still found in various parts of Europe and North America, with notable branches in Scotland, England, Ireland, Belgium, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 25 July 2025

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