PETROVIć
Recorded variant spellings include Petrovic
Petrovic is a surname of Slavic origin that can be traced to the Greek word petros, meaning “rock” or “stone.” The patronymic suffix -vic denotes descent and literally translates as “son of.” Consequently, Petrovic signifies “son of Peter” or “descendant of Peter,” linking bearers to the ancient Christian saint who was designated as the metaphorical stone upon which the ecclesiastical community was founded.
Historically, the surname was formed from the Slavic personal name Petar, itself a transliteration of the Greek Petros. In the medieval period the name was often applied to individuals whose character was perceived as steadfast or unwavering, much like a stone. Over time families adopted the name as a hereditary surname, signifying both lineage and perceived resilience.
Geographically, Petrovic is most commonly found in the Balkan states of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Slovenia. In Serbia the surname accounts for approximately 2.4 per cent of the population, while in Montenegro it is borne by around 1.2 per cent. The name has subsequently spread to other regions through emigration, particularly to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the former Soviet Union. Major diaspora communities exist in cities such as Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne, and Auckland.
In the wider Slavic linguistic context, the surname occurs in several orthographic variants, including Petrović, Petrovich, Petrovits, and Petrovnikovic. Anglicised forms such as Petroff, Petrovsky, and Petrofsky have appeared in English‑speaking countries. Where the patronymic suffix has been omitted or altered, surnames such as Petro or Pavic are also observed.
While the name is predominantly associated with Christian communities in the Balkans, there exist Muslim families bearing the surname in the same geographic region. In such contexts the name retains its patrilineal meaning, although its religious connotations differ from the Christian narrative.
Traditional heraldic representations for families carrying the surname feature a red field with a gold cross flory surrounded by four fleur‑de‑lis. The earliest recorded instance of the name in English documents appears in the 1195 pipe rolls of Hertford, where a person named Ralph Peter is mentioned during the reign of King Richard I.
Overall, the surname Petrovic encapsulates a heritage of linguistic continuity, familial lineage, and cultural endurance. Its persistence across centuries and continents attests to the enduring appeal of a name rooted in the concept of strength and steadfastness.
Typical given names associated with the Petrović surname
Male
- Aleksandar
- Alexandar
- Alexander
- Branko
- David
- John
- Michael
- Milan
- Nicholas
- Petar
- Peter
- Zoran
Female
- Aleksandra
- Danica
- Daniela
- Diane
- Iva
- Jan
- Jelena
- Krystina
- Maria
- Nikola
- Stana
- Susan
- Tanya
- Zora
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Petrović in...
Braille
⠏⠑⠞⠗⠕⠧⠊
Morse
.--..-.-.---...-..
Semaphore
Semaphore doesn't have codes for punctuation, so names that include apostrophes or hyphens cannot be represented precisely
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Petrović are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Digestive.
There are approximately 401 people named Petrović in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Petrović.
Region of origin: Europe
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Petrović
- Tim Petrovic - Golfer
- Nenad Petrovic - Serbian writer (1925 to 2014)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.