Surname Peterle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Peterle: What does the surname Peterle mean?
The last name Peterle is of German origin and is a variation of Peterlein, the diminutive of Peter. The name may be derived from a diminutive of the Greek Πέτρος (Petros), which is itself derived from the word petra meaning “stone” or “rock”. It could have been a nickname for someone who had a strong sense of backbone or faith, like Peter from the Bible who was known for his faith in Jesus even when all other Apostles doubted.
The name has evolved from Peterlein to Peterle over the years, with other variations common in Germany such as Pierle, Perle, and Perlein. As it spread across Europe, the spelling was also adapted to the local dialect, generating such variants as Paterl, Petrell, Pieterle, Pieterli and Pedrillo.
Today, the name Peterle is most commonly found among families of German and Italian ancestry, and refers to descendants of the original Peterlein line. People with this last name often share a strong sense of identity, heritage and duty, a trait which is reflected in their commitment to family and community.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterle: Where does the name Peterle come from?
The last name Peterle is found mainly in Eastern Europe, in Switzerland, Italy and Austria. It is especially common in the regions of Switzerland, Tyrol and Greater Austria, which are situated in the Alps between Austria and Italy. The origin of the name Peterle dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was a name mainly given to children born in a village called Peterlingen, located near the town of St. Gallen in Switzerland. The name became well-known after numerous Peterlingen villagers moved throughout the area seeking employment and settling into new communities.
The original pronunciation of the name was 'Peterle', though over the centuries it has become common to pronounce it as 'Pet-er-lee'. The spelling of Peterle is particularly historic; prior to the 18th century, the name was normally written with the letter 'e' at the end, and it wasn't until later that the spelling was modernised.
Today, the Peterle surname can be found in many countries across Europe, as well as the USA, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually found in more heavily-populated regions, though some traces of the last name can still be found even in smaller towns and villages.
Variations of the surname Peterle
The surname Peterle has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It can be found as Petruel, Petruelle, Petruio, Petrele, Petrelle, Petrole, Petroleo, Petrelli, Peterl, and Pierle.
Petruel, Petruio and Petrole are all variants of the surname as they derive from the same origin: the Greek given name Petros, meaning “rock” or “stone”. Petruel is an Italian spelling, whereas Petruio is an Italian derivative and Petrole is believed to derive from the Mediterranean region.
Petrele, Petrelle and Peterl are variants of the same origin, derived from the French spelling of Peter. Petrelle also has a separate origin in the Latin Petrus, meaning "little rock" or "piece of stone".
The remaining variants and surnames of Peterle are all derivative targeted spellings, consisting of Petrelli, Petroleo, and Pierle. Petrelli is believed to be of Italian origin, whereas Petroleo is thought to be from an Italian-influenced region such as France, Croatia, or the Flanders region of Belgium. Pierle is a combination of the French and Italian variations of Peter.
In summary, Peterle is a surname of variational origins that can be seen in numerous forms, with Petruel, Petruio, and Petrole being the primary forms, along with Petrele, Petrelle, Petroleo, Petrelli, Peterl, and Pierle being additional variations.
Famous people with the name Peterle
- Sandi Peterle, Slovenian singer and member of the 1990s band Platin.
- Milena Peterle, Slovenian politician and member of the European Parliament.
- Maksim Peterle, Slovenian footballer who plays for AEK Athens.
- Erik Peterle, Slovenian Handball player who played for RK Zagreb.
- Edi Peterle, Slovenian professional basketball player who currently plays in the German Pro A league.
- Ema Peterle, Slovenian actress best known for her roles on television shows such as Prison Breakers and Zvezda Makers.
- Alen Peterle, Slovenian actor who has starred in films such as Milk & Honey and Heart of a Snake.
- Hugo Peterle, Swiss painter and sculptor from Basel.
- Anton Peterle, Slovak poet and writer around the turn of the 20th century.
- Primož Peterle, Slovenian slalom canoer who won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.