Peterson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Sweden

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(226)

The surname Peterson is a patronymic name created originally from the personal name of a male relative. Peterson is derived from the Greek word "petros," which means 'rock.' Forms of this name gained much popularity in the Middle Ages, as it appears in the Bible, bestowed by Christ on an apostle. St. Peter is often regarded as being the founder of the Christian church. The suffix "sson" and its variants are translatable as "son of."

Peterson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: pettersen and others.

Peterson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Peterson is the 68^th most popular surname with an estimated 266,109 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Peterson is ranked the 290^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,960 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Peterson is the 408^th popular surname with an estimated 9,083 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Peterson as 351^st with 1,815 people. 4

Peterson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Peterson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry Peterson, who settled in Virginia in 1622
Henricke Peterson, who landed in Virginia in 1622 5
William Peterson, who settled in Virginia in 1638
Ann Peterson, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 5
Barnett Peterson, who landed in Virginia in 1650 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peterson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Peterson, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 5
Cerveses Peterson, who landed in Virginia in 1702 5
Bernard Peterson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 5
Cornelius Peterson, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 5
Kirstin Peterson, who arrived in New York in 1738 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peterson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hans C Peterson, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1828 5
Gumull Peterson, aged 40, who landed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1831 5
Gustavus H Peterson, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1837 5
Gustoff Peterson, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1837 5
Jacob Peterson, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1837 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peterson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Axel Peterson, who landed in Arkansas in 1905 5
Antion Peterson, who landed in Mississippi in 1905 5
Gustave Peterson, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 5
Fred Emil Peterson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1908 5
Louis Peterson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1910 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peterson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Peterson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. C. John Peterson U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 6
Mr. John Peterson U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 6
Mr. Nicholas Peterson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 6
Mr. Nicholas Peterson U.E., (Claas) who settled in Canada c. 1784 6
Mr. Nicholas Peterson U.E. who settled in Adolphus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1784 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Peterson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Julius S Peterson, who arrived in Quebec in 1867

Peterson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Peterson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Peterson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. Andrew Peterson who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
Charlotte Peterson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Ganges" in 1839 9
Peter Wilhelm Peterson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1839 10
Margaret Peterson, aged 25, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"

Peterson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Peterson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Andrew Peterson, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
Elizabeth Peterson, aged 25, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Westminster" in 1843
Sophia Peterson, aged 44, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1873 11
Maria Peterson, aged 16, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1873 11
Hans J. Peterson, aged 40, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Peterson (post 1700) +

Fred Ingels Peterson (1942-2024), American professional baseball pitcher
Edwin J. Peterson (1930-2023), American jurist in the state of Oregon, 39th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court serving from 1983 to 1991
Margaret Ann "Maggie" Peterson (1941-2022), American actress and singer, best known for playing Charlene Darling on The Andy Griffith Show
Ralph Peterson Jr. (1962-2021), American jazz drummer and bandleader
Judge Kenneth "Luck" Peterson (1964-2020), American musician who played contemporary blues, fusing soul, R&B, gospel and rock and roll
Eugene Hoiland Peterson (1932-2018), American-born Gold Medallion Book Award winning clergyman, scholar, author, and poet
Colonel Donald Herod Peterson (1923-2018), United States Air Force officer and a former NASA astronaut with over 5 days in space 12
Peter George Peterson (1926-2018), born Peter Petropoulos, American businessman, investment banker, philanthropist, and author, 20th United States Secretary of Commerce (1972-1973), CEO of Lehman Brothers; according to Forbes, he had a net worth of $2.8 billion
Douglas Blair Peterson (1945-2017), American yacht designer of the winning 1992 America3 and 1995 NZL 32 Black Magic Team New Zealand design teams
Tom Peterson (1930-2016), American retailer, pitchman, and television personality from Portland, Oregon
... (Another 296 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Peterson family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. William Victor Peterson (d. 1914), British Carpenter from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 13
Mr. G. Peterson (d. 1914), Swedish Third Class Passenger from Gothenburg, Sweden who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 13

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Andrew Peterson (1894-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14
Mr. Gustav Peterson (1894-1917), Norwegian Boatswain aboard the SS Imo from Throndheim, Norway who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 14

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. James Edward Peterson (1907-1941), Australian Gunner (T) from Thornbury, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 15
Mr. Peter William Peterson (1917-1941), Australian Stoker from Ellenbank, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 15

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Peterson, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

SS Atlantic

R. R. Peterson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

St. Francis Dam

Mr. Harold Norman Peterson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Mr. Carl Victor Peterson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

Mr. Elroy Vernon Peterson, American Fire Controlman Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17
Mr. Hardy Wilbur Peterson, American Fire Controlman Third Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17
Mr. Roscoe Earl Peterson, American Seaman Second Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17
Mr. Albert H. Peterson Jr., American Fire Controlman Third Class from New Jersey, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 17