Surname Petersdorfer - Meaning and Origin

Petersdorfer: What does the surname Petersdorfer mean?

The last name Petersdorfer is believed to be a German surname derived from an occupational name for a person from a place called "Petersdorf," which translates to mean "Peter's village." This town is said to have originally been called simply "Dorf," which translates to mean "village" in German, but was eventually changed to Petersdorf to honor a wealthy landowner's son named Peter.

The last name Petersdorfer, therefore, likely originated with people from a village of the same name, who eventually settled in other parts of Germany and other parts of the world, taking their last name with them. Today, people with this last name are found in Germany, other parts of Europe, and even overseas in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

This surname is not particularly common, but those who bear it take pride in its heritage and are proud of its unique origin. It is a reminder of their ancestors’ resilience and spirit, and their willingness to take risks in order to pursue a better life for themselves and their families.

Petersdorfer: Where does the name Petersdorfer come from?

The last name Petersdorfer is most common in Germany today. It is more common in regions like Bavaria and Saxony, both of which have been part of Germany since the 19th century. While the name Petersdorfer can also be found in other countries across Europe and the world, its highest concentration is within Germany.

Within Germany, the name Petersdorfer is recognized as being part of a specific regional, ethnolinguistic group known as Central Franconians or Bergfranken. This group of people are descended from Frankish settlers of Germanic origin and settled in the area of Franconia. Central Franconian is its own distinct dialect with specific linguistic features that are quite different from Standard German.

Additionally, records from the Middle Ages suggest that the name Petersdorfer may have originated in an area of Franconia known as Upper Franconia. This area of Germany is known for its strong Germanic cultural and linguistic ties, with some villages retaining their medieval names to this day.

Today, the last name Petersdorfer can be found within Germany and a few other countries, but it is more common in and around Bavaria and Saxony due to its connection to the Central Franconian dialect. Additionally, its strong ties to Upper Franconia is thought to have kept the last name alive and well for centuries.

Variations of the surname Petersdorfer

The surname Petersdorfer is derived from a topographical name for someone who lived near a rocky outcrop or hill. Variations of the surname Petersdorfer include Petersdörfer, Petersdörffer, Petersdorfer, Petersdorf, Pettersdorf, Petersdorf and Pettersdorff.

Due to the spelling variations within the surname, there are alternate spellings such as Pedersdorf, Pettersdorff, Pedersdorff, Pettisdryff, Pedesdorff, Pittersdorff, Pitzerdorff and Pedersdörfer.

The surname Petersdorfer may have also evolved as an occupational name for someone who lived near a rocky outcrop or hill. Alternatively, the name may have been derived from a pet form of the name Peter, and members of the Petersdorfer family may have originally been named as such.

The surname Petersdorfer has spread far and wide from its origins in Europe. In the United States, the surname is most notably found in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.

The common variants of this surname include Pettersdorff, Pedersdorf and Pettersdorff. Other less common variants that are found in records are Pittersdorff, Pitzerdorff, Pedersdorff, Pettisdryff, Pedesdorff and Pedersdörfer. Some examples of the surnames derived from this root are Petersdorf, Petersdorfer, Petersdörfer and Petersdörffer.

There is also a variation on the spelling of Petersdorfer found in the United Kingdom. The variant spelling, commonly found among British citizens of German ancestry, is 'Petersdorffer'.

Overall, the surname Petersdorfer is both common and widespread, having spread along with its many alternate spellings and variants to different countries including Austria, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, France, Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia.

Famous people with the name Petersdorfer

• Michael Petersdorfer, Austrian footballer.
• Reiner Petersdorfer, German football player.
• Sebastian Petersdorfer, German Olympian swimmer.
• Karl Schäfer Petersdorfer, professor, neurologist and psychotherapist.
• Arendt Petersdorfer, German politician.
• Udo Petersdorfer, former president of Austria's Oesterreichische Industrieholding.
• Ursula Petersdorfer, former president of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce.
• Wolfram Petersdorfer, German flying ace.
• Elfriede Petersdorfer, Austrian librarian, film scholar and teacher.
• Erwin Petersdorfer, German historian and author.
• Rolf Petersdorfer, former president of the German Association of Criminal Law.
• Fritz Petersdorfer, Austrian footballer.
• Herbert Petersdorfer, former president of the Austrian Hotel Association.
• Hubert Petersdorfer, Austrian historian.
• Johannes Petersdorfer, Austrian sculptor.
• Ulfried Petersdorfer, Austrian prelate.

Other surnames

PetersdorfPetersdorff