Surname Peterkord - Meaning and Origin
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Peterkord: What does the surname Peterkord mean?
The last name Peterkord is of Germanic origin and is derived from a personal name composed of the elements petur meaning "rock" and ward meaning "guard". The name is thought to have developed from the occupational surnames given to rock quarry workers or guards of a castle. The surname Peterkord is most commonly found in the Rhineland in Germany, and increasingly in North America, England, and other countries as a result of German immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The surname Peterkord is associated with strong religious faith, stability, gentleness, and understanding. Its earliest known bearer was the 11th century German knight Peter von Peterkord, a Christian warrior whose bravery and wisdom was celebrated by the German people. In popular German literature, the name is typically found attached to characters demonstrating strong moral courage or gallantry.
The meaning of the name Peterkord is often cited as “rock guardian," however, its true definition conveys a much deeper message—the qualities of strength, resilience, and fortitude that are required to remain steadfast against adversity.
This symbolic meaning has become even more relevant in modern times as people increasingly marry and have children without taking their spouse's last name. The Peterkord name can serve as a powerful reminder to future generations of their family’s legacy of courage and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisPeterkord: Where does the name Peterkord come from?
The last name Peterkord is a relatively uncommon surname, but is still purportedly found in Germany and the United States. In Germany, it is most commonly found around the area of Dortmund, located in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. One source suggests that the last name has its roots in the Old Saxon word “pherteckord” which translates to “brave and mighty”. In America, it can be traced back to as early as 1732 where the first settlers bearing the name Peterkord settled in Pennsylvania, the same state that is home to the family today. Most of the records of Peterkords in America today hail from Pennsylvania, although some branches of the family tree have migrated to other states including Ohio, Minnesota and Florida. Given the name’s relative rarity, there appears to be a strong connection between the branches of the Peterkord family tree, which suggests a shared ancestry. This might explain why thePeterkords are still so strongly tied to Pennsylvania today.
Variations of the surname Peterkord
The surname Peterkord is of German and Dutch origin, with variants and spellings including Peterkort, Petkor, Petkerk, and Pieterkort. It is derived from the given name Peter, which comes from the Greek word Petros, meaning "stone". The surname was established in Europe by the 13th century, with early occurrences in the records of the Dutch province of Friesland, as well as the towns of Gelden and Bremen in Germany. It has since spread to other countries around the world, including the United States, South Africa, and Australia.
The variants and spellings of the Peterkord surname are based upon local dialect and pronunciation of the original surname. Some Dutch variants include Pieterse, Peterse, Petrusse, Pietersz, and Petrusz. The German forms are typically short forms such as Petkor or Pietkord. It is also common to find these variations with a double consonant at the end, such as Petkerk or Pieterkort.
The Peterkord surname may also be recorded with the prefix "Van" or "Von", indicating that the family originated from a specific region. For example, Peterkord "Van Bremen" or "Von Gelden" indicates that the family originated in the German towns of Bremen or Gelden, respectively.
The Peterkord surname is found in several countries with a variety of spellings and variants. In the United States, it is sometimes spelled Petrecka, Petrich, Pietrecka, and Petricka. In South Africa, the variants and spellings are typically written as Petkerk and Petrus. In Australia, the spelling is generally Petkor or Pietkord. Whatever the format, the surname Peterkord is derived from the given name Peter and its variants, indicating a shared family bond and origins.
Famous people with the name Peterkord
- Hannes Peterkord: An actor who primarily works in film and television in Germany.
- Christian Peterkord: A German footballer who was part of the landed gentry.
- Erich Peterkord: A German sculptor outside the mainstream art world.
- Karl-Peterkord Gruber: A German engineer and inventor best known for developing the Gruberwerk engine.
- Alexander Peterkord: A German economist and lawyer who served as Minister of Economy in the state of Brandenburg.
- Bernhard Peterkord: A German entrepreneur and inventor in the fields of electrical engineering and automotive engineering.
- Uwe Peterkord: A German footballer that has played for several German professional teams.
- Oskar Peterkord: A German poet and writer who wrote under the pseudonym Norbert Arndt.
- Thomas Peterkord: A German music producer and sound engineer.
- Stefan Peterkord: A German orchestra conductor that has toured with many German orchestras.