Surname Perthel - Meaning and Origin

Perthel: What does the surname Perthel mean?

The last name Perthel is of German origin. It is a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Peter. Historically, the name Perthel was found throughout the German speaking area and was most likely the name of descendants of Peter.

The name Peter is derived from the Greek word "petros" which translates to "rock" in English. This meaning is reflected in the German interpretation of the name, "Peterse", which is derived from the word "stein", meaning "stone" or "rock".

The suffix "-el" found in Perthel is an ending that was commonly used in southern Germany in the Middle Ages, and was used to create patronymic surnames from first names. As such, Perthel is a patronymic name referring to an individual descended from Peter, or more commonly, a son of Peter.

The German pronunciation of Perthel is "perTEL", with the emphasis on the second syllable. In the United States, due to spelling variations and other influences, the pronunciation is more commonly read as "perTHAL" with an emphasis on the third syllable.

Perthel: Where does the name Perthel come from?

The last name Perthel is believed to have originated in Germany. Today, the surname is quite common in Germany and surrounding countries such as Austria, Luxembourg, and even the Netherlands.

In the United States, Perthel is a moderately common surname. According to the Social Security Administration, there were 13 instances of the last name Perthel in the US as of 2018. The states with the highest concentration of individuals with the Perthel name are Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio.

The Perthel surname is nonetheless quite rare in other countries. While individuals with the surname Perthel can be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries in Europe, the name is generally less common than it is in Germany or the United States.

Given the modest population of people with the Perthel surname, family reunions and other get-togethers of Perthels are relatively common and these regional events occur with some regularity. Besides these gatherings, individuals with the Perthel surname can also find each other through online search engines, social media, and other internet communication tools.

Variations of the surname Perthel

The surname Perthel is believed to have originated from Germany, Belgium, and Austria. It is generally thought to have derived from the German given name Peter or variants. Common variations, alternate spellings, and related names of this surname include Perteau, Perteil, Pertel, Pertil, Pertle, Purtill, and Purtel.

In Germany the surname Perthel is most common among Jewish populations. In the 12th century, German Jews began to adopt hereditary surnames in order to more clearly delineate between individuals. As time progressed, some of the families adopted surnames with varieties of spelling and meaning. Alterations in spelling of the surname Perthel in the German language often occurred, due to the practice of spelling according to sound.

The Perthel surname is also found in Belgium and Austria, usually anglicized as "Peter". In Belgium, between 1811 and 1970, it is one of the most common surnames.The surname Perthel first became common there in the north and is typically associated with Flemish peerages, particularly the county of Flanders.In Austria, the Perthel surname is found mainly in the province of Carinthia and the northern part of the state of Salzburg.

In addition to the standard spelling of Perthel in German-speaking countries, other variations and spellings of this surname in other countries may include Perrafel, Petit, Petig, Pethra, Pethel, Pethell, Petsel, Pietz, Pretal, Pruthl, Purser, Purser, Puttle, and Putzel.

In sum, the surname Perthel is believed to have originated in Germany, Belgium, and Austria and is known to have many variations and spellings in different countries such as Perteau, Perteil, Pertel, Pertil, Pertle, Purtill, and Purtel. Common variations in other countries may include Perrafel, Petit, Petig, Pethra, Pethel, Pethell, Petsel, Pietz, Pretal, Pruthl, Purser, Purser, Puttle, and Putzel.

Famous people with the name Perthel

• Jill Perthel: American actress known for roles in TV shows such as The Sopranos, Silk Stalkings, and Monk.
• Christopher Perthel: German physicist who was awarded the Leibniz Prize in 1999 for his groundbreaking work on atomic and molecular physics.
• Gustav Perthel: German sculptor widely known for his bronze works that often featured mythical creatures and historic figures.
• Franz Perthel: Austrian composer and conductor who wrote a number of popular operettas.
• Basile Perthel: French painter of the 19th century who was part of the Barbizon school, known for his landscape paintings of the rural countryside.
• Brigitte Perthel: German lyricist and singer who wrote and performed folk songs in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Dietmar Perthel: German footballer who played for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, and FC St. Pauli.
• Florian Perthel: German academic and medical doctor who specialized in treating cancer.
• Erich Perthel: German-American journalist and editor who wrote a number of widely acclaimed books about the Nazi regime.
• Wolfgang Perthel: German artist and engraver who was a prominent part of the Düsseldorf School of Painting.

Other surnames

Perthold