Surname Peterhansl - Meaning and Origin
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Peterhansl: What does the surname Peterhansl mean?
The last name Peterhansl is derived from the German word ‘peter’, meaning ‘rock’, and ‘hansl’, derived from ‘Johannes’, which translated means ‘John’. Together, the name likely references either a beloved patron saint, St. Peter, or a revered ancestor.
The first records of the Peterhansl family can be traced to south-western Germany in the 16th century. Early Peterhansl families were farmers as well as craftsmen such as blacksmiths, coppersmiths, joiners, and millers. They lived in small rural villages and hamlets, often supported by a local church or monastery.
Over time, many Peterhansl families left their small villages and migrated to urban areas, seeking better economic opportunities. The family faced a variety of hardships throughout the following centuries as wars and political upheaval spread across Europe. Many Peterhansl families bravely fought for their countries in many conflicts.
To this day, the Peterhansl surname is still present in many countries across Europe, where descendants of the original families have settled down and generations have been born. The family name also bears testament to the strength and endurance of its members as they have endured the challenges of changing times over hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterhansl: Where does the name Peterhansl come from?
The last name Peterhansl is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria as well as in parts of the United States. In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the Franconian region of southern Bavaria and in Baden-Württemberg. In Austria, the name is most commonly found in the eastern region spanning from Vienna to Lower Austria, as well as the Burgenland region.
In the United States, Peterhansl is a relatively rare surname that has mostly been documented in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. It is possible that the surname’s presence in the United States can be traced back to some of the first German immigrants to the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries.
As for other countries, Peterhansl is also found in South Africa, as well as to some extent in Canada and Australia. The name is quite rare in these countries, but it is possible that there are descendants of German immigrants in these countries as well.
Interestingly, the name Peterhansl is also still found in Slovakia, and Hungary (present day versions of the surname include Perhansz and Pertl).
The surname Peterhansl is relatively rare today, but it has survived centuries as a surname belonging to many generations, from Bavaria and Austria to the United States and beyond.
Variations of the surname Peterhansl
The surname Peterhansl is an old Germanic-Austronesian surname originating in the Swabian area of southern Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German "peter", meaning "rock", and "hansel", meaning "stallion". Variants of the surname include Peterhansl, Petermannsl, Peterhànsl, Peterhänßel, Petermann, Pieterhansl, Pietermann, and Petermanns.
The spelling of the surname often varies across regions and languages. Petermann and Petermanns appear to be more commonly used versions in German with variants being spelled as Pieterhans, Peternans, and Petermanns.
In the United States and Canada, the name is usually spelled as Peterhansl, although some records have the surname spelled as Petermann. Peterhansl may also be seen spelled with a ligature, as Peterhànsl.
Other related surnames include:
- Peterman, which is a Dutch naming convention, where the letter M is inserted at the end instead of S.
- Peterhansel, which is an evolved version of the surname, where the word "hansel" is in its original spelling.
- Petrahunzli, which is a Swiss variant of the surname, while in other parts of Switzerland the surname is written as Pieterhans.
- Peterhänssle, which is also a Swiss spelling of the surname.
- Pieterhans, which is a Dutch adaptation of the surname occurring in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Pieperhansla and Pieperhänsla, which are variants present in East Prussia.
In other parts of the world, the surname may also be seen as Peterhansl, Peterhonsl, Peterhanzl, Peterhenzl, Peterhanzle, Peterhanzler, and Peterhantsl.
Famous people with the name Peterhansl
- Ulrich Peterhansl: Austrian chemist
- Johann Peterhansl: German sculptor
- Wolfgang Peterhansl: Austrian writer
- Hans Peterhansl: Austrian musician
- Willibald Peterhansl: Austrian actor
- Pau Peterhansl: Austrian painter
- Hermann Peterhansl: German music composer
- Arnold Peterhansl: Swiss politician
- Maria Peterhansl: Austrian artist
- Helmut Peterhansl: German aerospace researcher