Pettersen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Sweden

Etymology of Pettersen

What does the name Pettersen mean?

The surname Pettersen is a patronymic name created originally from the personal name of a male relative. Pettersen 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."

Pettersen Spelling Variations

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

Pettersen 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:

Pettersen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Jans P. Pettersen, aged 34, a farm labourer, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Queen of the North" in 1874
Johanne Pettersen, aged 22, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Queen of the North" in 1874
Sophie Pettersen, aged 9 months, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Queen of the North" in 1874
Carl P. Pettersen, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Queen of the North" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Pettersen (post 1700) +

Brittany Pettersen (b. 1981), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado (2023-)
Kurt Pettersén, Swedish wrestler who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics
Gunerius Pettersen (1826-1892), Norwegian businessperson, he founded the company Gunerius Pettersen, today named Gunerius Shoppingsenter.
Georg Pettersen (1803-1879), Norwegian politician
Espen Bugge Pettersen (b. 1980), Norwegian footballer
Erling Pettersen (b. 1950), Norwegian lutheran bishop
Egil Pettersen (1922-2010), Norwegian philologist
Clarence Pettersen (1952-2018), Canadian politician, elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 2011
Britt Pettersen (b. 1961), Norwegian three-time gold medalist former cross country skier
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Pettersen family +

SS Norge

Miss Inga Sofie Pettersen (1882-1904), Norwegian passenger who was aboard the ship "SS Norge" when she ran aground and sunk on 28th June 1904, she died