Surname Petrowitsch - Meaning and Origin

Petrowitsch: What does the surname Petrowitsch mean?

The last name Petrowitsch is derived from the Slavic root 'petro', which translates to "rock". It is believed to have been a name given to someone who was from a family of rock miners or stone cutters, denoting a connection to their profession.

The first Petrowitsch was thought to have settled in the present-day areas of eastern Germany, Poland and Austria sometime in the early middle ages. Since then, the surname has been carried on through various generations in these areas.

The Petrowitsch name is also found throughout other parts of Europe such as Scotland, Spain and even Russia. It is thought that it was once a popular name in Russia, which makes sense given the Slavic root of the name.

Though the Petrowitsch name has been found throughout Europe, Americas and other regions, it is still distinctively associated with the areas of Central and Eastern Europe due to the long-standing presence of the name. It is often found among different language-speaking groups such as German and Polish speakers.

The name Petrowitsch is often seen as a symbol of stability, strength and determination. It encapsulates a person who is resilient and can stand strong even in the toughest situations. This legacy has been carried on today as the Petrowitsch name continues to be cherished by its many descendants throughout the world.

Petrowitsch: Where does the name Petrowitsch come from?

The last name Petrowitsch is a rare surname mainly found in Eastern Europe. It is most commonly found amongst the ethnic populations of some Balkan countries such as Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia. The name Petrowitsch is also found in some areas of Russia and Ukraine, as well as Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

In Serbia, the surname Petrowitsch is associated with German immigrants who settled in this region beginning in the 18th century, as a result of various religious and political turmoil, such as the Seven Years’ War. Many of these families retained their German surnames, which overtime evolved into a distinct Slavic form. A significant number of Serbian families with the last name Petrowitsch are found in Vojvodina, the northern part of Serbia bordered by Hungary. It is not clear whether this name is still in use in the Serbian language today.

In Croatia, the name Petrowitsch is mainly associated with German families who arrived in the region during the 17th century, especially after the Ottoman conquests. During the 19th century, many Croatian families bearing this surname moved to parts of the World such as Europe, North America, and Australia. Consequently, descendants of these families can be found in countries such as Canada, the United States, and South Africa today.

Overall, the last name Petrowitsch is mainly found in Eastern Europe, as well as some other parts of the world such as Australia, North America, and South Africa. It is likely that this surname was derived from German or Slavic origins, as it is closely associated with various immigration patterns throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Petrowitsch

Petrowitsch is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Peter. The patronymic naming system began in the ancient Germanic and Scandinavian cultures. It is derived from the given name Peter, which is ultimately derived from the Greek Petros meaning ‘stone’.

The variant spellings of Petrowisch, Petrowitz, Petrovič, Petrović, Petrovíček, Petrovský, Petrův, Petrusch, Petruschke, and Petrusska. All these surnames are derived from the given name Peter.

The surname also has a variety of surnames that are derived from it, such as Petrovitch, Petrovari, Petrovich, Petrović, Petrvská, Petrovský, Petrusenko, Petrovits, Petrusch, Petruschke, Petroschka, Petrovska, and Petroviak.

The most common variant spellings of Petrowitsch are Petrowisch, Petrowitz, Petrović, and Petrovský. These variants and surnames are all used in countries across Europe, including Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria. In some countries, such as Bulgaria, the spelling may incorporate a Slavic spelling of Peter - Петро (Petrô).

Many Petrowitsch descendants may have Anglicized their surnames in the 19th century, which could result in variations such as Petrovis, Petrowsky, and Petruski. Regardless of spelling variations, all these surnames share a common origin in the given name Peter.

Famous people with the name Petrowitsch

• Jürg Petrowitsch: Swiss composer, producing modern jazz, hip-hop and electronic music.
• Veronika Petrowitsch: Austrian film, theater and television actress, active since 1984.
• René Petrowitsch: Swiss film director, mainly producing documentaries.
• Berthold Petrowitsch: Austrian actor, active since 1950.
• Heidemarie Petrowitsch: German medical doctor who specializes in psychoanalysis and couple therapy.
• Lorenz Petrowitsch: Swiss-Italian musician and composer, active since the 1970s.
• Natalia Petrowitsch: Russian actress, best known for her roles in Anna Karenina, War and Peace, and Cinderella.
• Wolfgang Petrowitsch: Austrian producer, active since the 1980s.
• Hans Petrowitsch: Austrian journalist, ski jumping pioneer, and five-time Winter Olympic gold medalist.
• Dorin Petrowitsch: German professional football goalkeeper, playing in the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga since 2016.

Other surnames

Petrowitz