Summary

The surname Petit is of French origin and is derived from the word 'petit', which means small or little in French. It is believed to have originally been a nickname given to someone who was small in stature. The surname has a rich history and is found in various regions of France.
There are
6090
Petits in the USA
Petit is the
5692nd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Petit

AugustePetit

Auguste Petit was a French artist who lived from 1812 to 1876. He was known for his landscape paintings and was associated with the Barbizon school. His works often depicted rural scenes and nature.

ÉdouardPetit

Édouard Petit was a French literary critic and journalist. He was born in 1831 and died in 1914. Petit is best known for his contributions to the literary journal 'Revue des deux Mondes' and his insightful critiques of contemporary French authors.

HenriPetit

Henri Petit was a French physicist and mathematician. He lived from 1845 to 1917 and made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism. Petit's name is associated with the Petit's theorem, which relates the currents in two electric circuits.

MariePetit

Marie Petit was a Belgian painter born in 1854. She gained recognition for her still-life and portrait paintings. Petit's artworks often displayed a delicate use of colors and captured the essence of her subjects with great detail.

LouisPetit

Louis Petit was a French architect and designer. Born in 1863, he was known for his work in the Gothic Revival style. Petit's notable projects include the restoration of historical buildings and the design of elaborate stained glass windows.

Jean-PierrePetit

Jean-Pierre Petit is a French astrophysicist and science writer. He was born in 1937 and has made significant contributions to the field of plasma physics. Petit is known for his popular science books that explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner.

JacquesPetit

Jacques Petit was a French football player who played as a forward. Born in 1970, he had a successful career playing for various clubs in France. Petit was known for his agility and ability to score crucial goals in important matches.

Petit Genealogy

OriginsThe surname Petit is of French origin.
Geographic DistributionThe surname Petit is commonly found in France and other French-speaking regions around the world.
VariationsVariations of the surname Petit include Petite, Petitti, Petti, Petito, Pety, Petits, Petitsch, Petitt, Petyt, and Pettiway.
Migration and ImmigrationMigration and immigration involving the surname Petit occurred during different periods and in various places. Some notable instances include French emigration to Canada during the colonial era, resulting in the presence of Petit families in Quebec and other Canadian provinces. Immigration of individuals with the surname Petit also took place during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly to countries such as the United States, Belgium, and Argentina. Reasons for migration and immigration varied from seeking economic opportunities to escaping political unrest or pursuing academic endeavors.