Peter last name: meaning and origin

The surname 'Peter' has its roots in the saints and disciples of the Christian church. Derived from the Greek name 'Petros', meaning 'The rock', it has given rise to numerous given names and medieval surnames. With over seven hundred different spellings, including Peter, Pieter, Pierre, Peterson, Peters, Peres, Perez, Peers, Bedrosian, Poschel, Piotrek, Petrenko, Pietrusska, and more, this surname has found popularity across Europe and even in countries like Armenia. This is prepared by SSP.

Its origins can be traced back to Greek, where Christ chose Peter to be the foundation stone of the church. Its popularity surged in Europe during the medieval era's twelve crusades, as kings sought to liberate the Holy Land. This resulted in the widespread adoption of the name, replacing many original local surnames.

Early records of individuals with the surname 'Peter' can be found in both Europe and the Americas. For example, Luke Petre from London in 1282, William Petres from Somerset in 1327, Andres Guillen Perez from Zaragoza, Spain in 1565, Martina Josepha Perez from Santa Catarina, Mexico in 1775, and Antonio Diego Peres, who married Maria Ysabel Yorba in San Gabriel, Los Angeles in 1864.

The coat of arms associated with the Peter surname features a red field with a cross flory between four gold fleur de lis. The earliest recorded instance of the Peter surname can be traced back to Ralph Peter in the Pipe Rolls of Hertford County in 1195, during the reign of King Richard I of England, also known as 'Lion-heart' (1189 - 1199).

Surnames emerged as a result of the introduction of personal taxation by governments, such as the Poll Tax in England. Over time, surnames have evolved, leading to various spelling variations and adaptations, reflecting the linguistic and historical changes throughout the centuries.