8,627 Global PETTIGREW Family Members

PETTIGREW Family History

Recorded in the spellings of Pettegre, Petegre, Pettigrew, Petigrew, Petticrew and Petegrew, this is a Medieval 13th century English surname, but of French origins. The phrase "petit cru", meaning in this context, small person, was introduced into Britain after the 1066 Norman invasion, when French became the official language. Originally "petit cru" was used as a nickname of endearment, similar to "young son", the later surname "Youngson". Victorian researchers however concluded that "petit cru" was a nickname for a dwarf, but whilst this may have applied in a few cases, the name could hardly have achieved its level of popularity had the origin either been uncomplimentary, or so restrictive.The name is particularly well recorded in East Anglia, and all the early recordings come from this region.