Surname Petzold - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Historical Footprints of my Surname Petzold through iGENEA DNA Analysis

A journey into my familial roots with iGENEA DNA analysis shed light on the rich history of my surname Petzold, tracing its origin to Central Europe's blacksmiths of the Middle Ages. The analysis not only revealed my worldwide dispersion of Petzold relatives but also gave a unique insight into my ancestors' struggles, survival, and adaptation to new lands.

A. Petzold

Petzold: What does the surname Petzold mean?

The last name Petzold is of German origin and is an occupational surname. The name likely derives from the low German word "peddelen," which means "to peddle" or "to carry goods in a wagon." The original bearer of the name may have been a person who traveled from place to place selling goods.

The Petzold last name is still very common in Germany today. People bearing the last name are found primarily in Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Thuringian districts. As the Petzold family began to spread out to other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages and the Age of Exploration, there has also been an increase in families bearing the Petzold name in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States.

The Petzold name symbolizes hard work and entrepreneurship. People who bear the name are often associated with very successful businesses and are known for their ambition and determination. The Petzolds strive for excellence and continue to work hard to achieve their goals. Thanks to the strength and determination of the Petzold family, the name is now spread across the world.

Petzold: Where does the name Petzold come from?

The last name Petzold is most commonly found in Germany and Poland. In Germany, the majority of Petzolds are concentrated in the northern parts of the country. It is believed to have come from the Lower Saxon region of Mecklenburg- Vorpommern and the Saxony-Anhalt district. The last name is also prominently found in the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, and Saxony.

In Poland, the last name is found mostly in the north and northeastern parts of the country, especially in Prussia, Pomerania, and Silesia. The last name also reaches into the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Latvia.

The Petzold name appears to have originated from the German word “petzel”, which translates to someone who is clumsy or awkward in their movements. This lends credence to the popular theory that the Petzolds were peasant farmers who moved around often from village to village in the Middle Ages.

Today, the last name is a common one in Germany and Poland, representing the thousands of Petzolds who trace their lineages to the Middle Ages. It is less common in other parts of Europe, however, due to the relatively low population of German immigrants in other countries.

Variations of the surname Petzold

Petzold is a German-language surname that can also be spelt Peetzold, Petschold, Petzel, and Petzelt. The surname has various origin points with many families tracing its beginnings to Poland and Saxony. One root of the surname occurs in the Low German dialect and comes from the word "pedden," which means "to lie down" or "to rest." In this instance, the surname is thought to have referred to "a restful place to stay" and was likely used as a nickname for someone involved in the accommodation business.

Other origins of the surname trace to the Eastern regions of German-speaking areas. Here, Petzold is a contraction of the name Puedhold and may have referred to someone associated with a particular profession or craft, possibly a feather maker (Puedemann). As with many German surnames, some families of the same name are actually unrelated and derive the name from different sources.

Variations of this surname are particularly common in the United States, especially among those of German and Polish ancestry. These variations include Pisold, Peetsold, Peetzel, and Petsel. The Pet Coyne, Pietzold, and Pettzold variants are also seen, as are the multiple hyphenated surnames such as Petzold-Daisy and Petzold-Peterson. Variants of the Petzold surname are commonly found among German settlers to America, and so those researching this surname may find it helpful to check through records of other German surnames such as Petz, Pezold, and Pixelt.

Famous people with the name Petzold

• Christian Petzold (German Film Director)
• Marc Petzold (Former Swiss Football Player)
• Harald Petzold (German Art Historian)
• Joachim Petzold (German Physicist)
• Christopher Petzold (German Biotechnology Researcher)
• Michael Petzold (Former German Football Player)
• Vince Petzold (Former American Football Player)
• Billy Petzold (American Major League Baseball Player)
• Dieter Petzold (Former East German Football Player)
• Richard Petzold (American Politician)
• Christian Petzold (Former East German Olympic Gymnast)
• Rainer Petzold (German Aerospace Engineer)
• Jozef Petzold (Former Brazilian Football Player)
• Dorothy Petzold (American Computer Scientist)
• Jan Petzold (Polish Composer and Pianist)
• Robert Petzold (Judge of the Fifth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals)
• Katrin Petzold (German Race Car Driver)
• Johnny Petzold (American Football Player)
• Mike Petzold (American Football Player)
• Richard Petzold (American Poet)

Other surnames

PetzoldtPetzollPetzolt