Surname Petras - Meaning and Origin
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Petras: What does the surname Petras mean?
The last name Petras is of Lithuanian and Slavic origin. It derives from the personal name Peter, a form of the Greek name Petros, which means "rock" or “stone”. The name may have originally referred to a stonemason or someone who lived by a rocky outcrop.
In the Middle Ages Petras was a common name among Christianized Lithuanian and Slavic populations. Through the centuries the name has been adopted by many languages throughout Europe, including German and Swedish. The first known bearer of the surname was Peter, who was born in Duisburg, Germany in 1576.
The name Petras is quite popular in Lithuania, where it is among the top 100 surnames. Some well-known people bearing this name include former president of Lithuania Vytautas Petras Landsbergis, author Petras Klimas, legendary conductor and composer Adolfas Petras Bukšta, and Olympic athlete Vadim Petras.
In contemporary society Petras is often thought of as a symbol of heritage and tradition. It is especially endearing to individuals of Lithuanian heritage who find pride in their roots and reverence for their history.
Order DNA origin analysisPetras: Where does the name Petras come from?
The last name Petras is most commonly found in central, western, and southern Europe. It is particularly prevalent in Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, and Austria. The surname is also found in Russia, Belarus, and the Czech Republic, as well as Germany, France, Italy, and Hungary in smaller numbers.
In the United States, the surname is fairly uncommon, but it is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, where the largest population of Petras was recorded in the 1880 US census. There is also a significant Petras community in the Midwest, made up of immigrants who arrived from Eastern Europe in the late 19th century. Other states with populations of Petras include Florida, New York, Illinois, California, and Ohio.
In addition to Europe and the United States, the surname is also found in Canada, where the most significant concentration of Petras can be found in the Greater Toronto Area. Other areas with a notable Petras population include British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta.
Overall, the surname Petras is most commonly found in western, central, and southern Europe. It is also present in pockets in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Petras
The surname Petras is believed to be of Czech, Slovak, and Lithuanian (Lietuvių) origin. It is typically spelled Petras, however, there are various forms of the name. In Czech and Slovak, the name is spelled Petrus, while in Lithuanian it is spelled Petras. In Polish, the spelling is Petrusz, while in Hungary it is Petraš or Petraž.
Petras is derived from the Latin word ‘Petrus’ meaning ‘rock’ or ‘stone’. It was typically used as a nickname for someone who was hardworking and strong; qualities which were often associated with rocks and stones. It is also thought to have been used as an occupational name for someone who worked in the masonry trade.
Variant spellings of Petras include Petrescu, Petreasa, Petroş, Petroș, Petrova, Petruţ, Petruţa, Petrasch and Petrosov. Surnames of similar origin include Peters, Pietras, Petra, Petri, Pétárd, Pedrosa and Péter.
The prevalence of the surname Petras varies around the world. It is more common in Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania, and less common in other countries. Therefore, it is likely that people with the surname Petras have ancestors from Eastern European countries.
Famous people with the name Petras
- Kim Petras: Kim Petras is a German singer-songwriter and music producer. She is best known for her single "I Don't Wanna Die" which was released in late 2017. Petras initially gained recognition in the summer of 2017 for being the youngest person ever to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria and transition medically.
- Stan Petras: Stan Petras is an American wrestler and trainer who competed in the 1920 Olympic games. He won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling in the category of middleweight.
- Talia Petras: Talia Petras is an actor and stuntwoman based in Los Angeles. She is known for her work on films such as The Meg and Justice League, as well as her appearances in advertisements and music videos.
- Morgan Petras: Morgan Petras is an American photographer. She is best known for her black and white photography, which often features overlooked objects or locations as the subject matter.
- Ben Petras: Ben Petras is an American actor and director. He starred in the hit film The Bronze, and has since gone on to appear in feature films and television productions. He is also an acclaimed director, having been nominated for numerous awards.
- Tom Petras: Tom Petras is an American engineer and inventor. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the computer mouse and for inventing the modern wheel.