PETTIGREW
Pettigrew is a surname that can be traced to the British Isles, with its roots evident in English, French and Scottish linguistic traditions. The name is frequently associated with Celtic heritage, as it was first found in Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland and recorded under a variety of forms that echo the linguistic influence of Norman French after the 1066 invasion.
The earliest confirmed record dates to the year 1227, when a man named Walter Peticruw appeared in the Assize Court rolls of Colchester, Essex. This early spelling is one of many medieval variations – including Pettegre, Petegre, Petigrew, Petticrew, Petegrew, Petticrew, Peticrew, Pettigrow and Pettigron – that demonstrate how the surname evolved through manuscript transmission and regional pronunciation differences. By the early fourteenth century the name had also appeared in East Anglia, with instances such as Roger Petitcru of Bury St Edmunds in 1268 and John Petegrew recorded in the Feudal Aids of Suffolk in 1346.
The etymology of the name combines the Old French word petit, meaning small, with either the Middle English grew, meaning to grow, or the phrase petit cru, translated as small growth. In medieval usage the combination could have described someone who cultivated a modest plot of land, i.e. a small or tenant farmer, or it could have been an affectionate nickname for a person of slight stature. Victorian research occasionally suggested that the nickname might have been reserved for dwarfs; however, the broad spread of the name across the English countryside suggests a more inclusive origin centred on modest farming or stature rather than an exclusive physical condition.
Records of the surname are particularly dense in East Anglia, reflecting a strong presence in Suffolk and Essex during the medieval period. In Scotland the name surfaced in Aberdeenshire by the fourteenth century, and remains comparatively common in the western and northern parts of the country, where many descendants still hold the name today. In the modern era, Pettigrew remains most widespread within the United Kingdom, especially England and Wales. Within England it is found in Devon and Cornwall, followed by Kent and London, whereas in Wales it is concentrated throughout both North and South. In the United States the surname is less common, with a noted presence in the north–midwest states such as Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York and Michigan.
Beyond the British Isles, members of the Pettigrew family migrated extensively during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Significant emigration took place to North America, Australia and New Zealand, and traces of the name can now be found in Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Uganda. The global distribution of the surname is a testament to the mobility of families bearing the name during the periods of colonisation and industrial change.
Among those who bear the name, Thomas Pettigrew (1791–1865) stands out as a noteworthy figure in the early twentieth century. He was an archaeologist and served as a senior surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital in London in 1835, demonstrating how individuals with the surname engaged in professional and scientific pursuits during the Victorian era.
In summary, the surname Pettigrew reflects a multifaceted heritage that blends Norman French linguistic influence with medieval English and Scottish traditions. Its meaning, tied to modest growth or small stature, is attested by a spectrum of medieval records across the British Isles, and its continued presence in both the United Kingdom and the wider world attests to the enduring nature of the name.
Typical given names associated with the Pettigrew surname
Male
- Alan
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Karen
- Laura
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Stephanie
- Susan
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 Pettigrew in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 2,179 people named Pettigrew in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,918th most common surname in Britain. Around 33 in a million people in Britain are named Pettigrew.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Pettigrew
- Oli Pettigrew - Actor
- Willie Pettigrew - Scottish football player
- Andrew Pettigrew - University professor
- Adrian Pettigrew - Football player
- William Pettigrew - Australian politician (1825 to 1906)
- William Pettigrew - (1869 to 1943)
- Craig Pettigrew - Football player
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.