The Petty Family History

What Does the Petty Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Petty has its roots in England, Scotland, and Ireland, deriving from the Old French word 'petit,' which translates to 'small' or 'little. ' Variants of the surname include Petie, Pettey, Pettie, Pettis, and Pety. In England, the earliest records of families bearing the Petty name can be traced back to Warwickshire. From this region, many branches of the family migrated to Yorkshire, Lancashire, Hampshire, and London, among other locales. In Ireland, the Petty lineage is believed to have originated in County Kerry. In Scotland, the name is predominantly found in the counties of Angus, Midlothian, Stirlingshire, and Dumfries-shire. In the United States, individuals with the surname Petty initially settled in states such as New Jersey, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Massachusetts. Noteworthy individuals bearing the Petty surname include Dini Petty, a television and radio host from Canada; Tom Petty, an acclaimed musician, singer, and songwriter; Richard Petty, a celebrated auto racing champion; W. Morgan Petty, an English fiction writer; Lori Petty, an actress; William Petty, a 17th-century English founding member of The Royal Society known for his contributions to fiscal and monetary theories; Norman Petty, a songwriter, producer, and musician; and Bruce Petty, an Australian cartoonist.