Surname Pennsylvania - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pennsylvania: What does the surname Pennsylvania mean?
The last name Pennsylvania originates from the area now known as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's name comes from the Latin word Pennsilvania, meaning "Penn's Woodland". The state was named in honor of English Quaker, William Penn, who formed the Pennsylvania Colony in 1682.
Pennsylvania was officially recognized as a state in the United States in 1776, becoming the second state in the nation to ratify the Constitution. The state is known for its historic landmarks, its vast countryside, and its unique culture.
The last name Pennsylvania is derived from William Penn's surname. In fact, Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a name derived from the surname of its founder. As a result, people with the last name Pennsylvania typically have roots in the state or may have a personal connection to Pennsylvania's culture and history.
The last name Pennsylvania is an interesting piece of one's personal history, as it can be used to trace family roots and historical heritage in the state. As the second state to ratify the US Constitution, Pennsylvania's cultural and political heritage hold a special place in American history, making the state's last name an important marker of ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisPennsylvania: Where does the name Pennsylvania come from?
The last name Pennsylvania is most commonly associated with people with roots in various regions of the world, particularly those that have migrated to the U.S. state of the same name. Pennsylvania’s population today is made up of a diverse group of individuals from around the world, particularly Europe. The state’s name originated from William Penn, an English Quaker who founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681.
The last name Pennsylvania is most commonly found in the eastern region of the United States. Specifically, cities and towns in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware have the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Pennsylvania. Additionally, the frequency of the last name Pennsylvania increases in northeastern cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, PA.
The increase in concentrations of individuals with the name Pennsylvania in these regions likely reflects early patterns of migration to the U.S. Concentrations of individuals with Pennsylvania backgrounds are also found in states like New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Illinois, and California, among others.
The last name Pennsylvania is an indication of one’s roots and heritage, and is a proud reminder for those with such a background of their history and where their ancestors came from. Interestingly, Pennsylvania Dutch - a language variation of the original Pennsylvania German that was brought to the region by German-speaking immigrants - is still spoken by many people with Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry living in the Eastern United States today.
Variations of the surname Pennsylvania
The variants of the surname Pennsylvania are Pennsylvanian, Painter, Penerman, Pannill, and Pannello.
Pennsylvanian is the most common alternative spelling that is used today. Pennyslvanian is an old-fashioned variant of Pennsylvania. The Painter, Penerman, Pannill, and Pannello surnames are all derived from the Pennsylvania surname and its variants.
The Pennsylvania surname is also a variant of the more common surname Painter. Painter is an anglicized version of the Germanic surname Pennsteller, which was derived from the Latin term penn, which translates as ‘paint’ or ‘palette’. The Painter surname is linked to masters of the arts, particularly painters and sculptors.
Penerman is a variant of Pennsylvania and Painter surnames. It is derived from the Germanic words perne and mann, which mean ‘parchment’ or ‘man’. This surname was typically used for someone who dealt in parchment or manuscripts.
Pannill is a variant of Pennsylvania and Painter surnames. This surname was first used by traders of fabric. It derives from the Old French word pannell, which means ‘cloth’.
Pannello is derived from Old French and is another variant of the Pennsylvania and Painter surnames. It is derived from the word pannell, which means ‘paint’ or ‘ink’, and was used to denote a drafter, painter, or ink maker.
Therefore, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pennsylvania are Pennsylvanian, Painter, Penerman, Pannill, and Pannello.
Famous people with the name Pennsylvania
- Richard Schiff: the American actor best known for his role as Toby Ziegler in The West Wing.
- Mercedes Pennsylvania: Mexican actress who starred in films such as Compadres and A Monster with a Thousand Heads.
- Uma Thurman: American actress who starred in several Hollywood films such as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.
- Jack Johnson: the professional mixed martial artist known for his appearance in The Ultimate Fighter.
- Bon Harris: British music producer, composer, and keyboardist best known for his work with Nitzer Ebb and Depeche Mode.
- Harry Connick, Jr.: musical artist and popular actor of films such as P.S. I Love You.
- Johnny Weir: American figure skater who competed in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- John O'Hara: the prominent American novelist of the interwar period who wrote books such as Appointment in Samarra.
- Arlen Specter:former politician and US Senator from Pennsylvania who served from 1981 to 2011.
- Lou Barletta: current US Congressman who has represented the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania since 2011.