Show ContentsPettersone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the Pettersone family lived. The name Pettersone comes from the personal name Peter. Pettersone is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. This particular surname was taken from the popular religious given name, Peter a shortened form of St. Peter. Other patronymic names were derived from the given name of an ancestor of the bearer, while still others came from the names of secular heroes.

Early Origins of the Pettersone family

The surname Pettersone was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland. One of the first records of the family was found here: "Nigellus filius Petri, one of the burgenses rure manentes, Aberdeen, 1317." 1 The native home of the Clan Pheadirean (Patersons) was on the north side of Lochfyne where they were formerly numerous. The name is closely related to Paterson and the two spellings and many more have been used interchangeably over the years. By example, Donald Patyrson was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1494 and William Patrison and John Patonson, 'gentillmen,' were witnesses in Aberdeen in 1446. 1

Early History of the Pettersone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pettersone research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1317, 1327, 1377, 1378, 1411 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Pettersone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pettersone Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Pettersone has been spelled Peterson, Petersone, Petterson, Piterson and others.

Early Notables of the Pettersone family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Gerlac Peterssen (Petersen, Peterson, Gerlacus Petri) (1377 or 1378-1411), a Dutch mystic, entered the Institution of the Brethren of Common Life, and devoted his time...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pettersone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Pettersone family to Ireland

Some of the Pettersone family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pettersone family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Pettersone: Cornelius Peterson who settled in Maryland in 1674; Evor Peterson settled in Virginia in 1653; Henry Peterson settled in Virginia in 1622; Neale Peterson settled in Virginia in 1653.



The Pettersone Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nihil sine Deo
Motto Translation: Nothing without God.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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