Petit Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Petit mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Petit name
Petit is a nickname from Old French petit, "small" or "young", often for a younger son or a person of slight build. It arose independently across France and remains one of the most frequent French surnames. Related forms such as Lepetit and Petiteau mark the same idea.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Petit name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Petit name in France. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Belgium, Canada and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Petit name FAQ
What does the Petit name mean?
Small or young. Common variants include Lepetit, Petiteau, Petito.
Where does the Petit surname come from?
It originates in France, and is also found in Belgium, Canada and the United States.
Is there a Petit coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Petit crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Petit coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Albert Dauzat & Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).