Peterson/Petersen is a Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning "son of Peter." The given name Peter is derived from the Greek πέτρος (petros), meaning "rock" or "stone," and has been a popular name choice throughout history for the Christian apostle

Peter Peter may refer to: People * List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Peter (given name) ** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church * Peter (surname), a sur ...

. The surname is most commonly found in European countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, and Brussels in the northwestern region. There are an estimated 700 variant spellings of the surname. The form ''Peterson'' may also have arisen from

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...

''Petersen'' with a change of spelling commonly applied by Danish immigrants to

English-speaking Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the '' Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest langua ...

countries. On another note, the surname ''Peterson'' is native to Sweden, therefore, ''Peterson'' is the correct spelling from that country.

List of people with this surname

Adrian Peterson Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in football history. He played college football at Oklahoma, where he set the ...

(born 1985), American football running back * Adrian N. Peterson (born 1979), American football running back * Alan P. Peterson (1920–1998), American ornithologist and taxonomist * Amanda Peterson (1971–2015), American actress * Andrew Peterson (disambiguation), multiple people * Ann Peterson (born 1947), American Olympic diver * Arthur Peterson (disambiguation), multiple people * Brian Peterson (disambiguation), multiple people * Carla Peterson (actress) (born 1974), Argentinian actress * Cassandra Peterson (born 1951), American actress best known for her screen persona "Elvira" *

Charles Gilbert Peterson Charles Gilbert Peterson (January 31, 1848 - October 3, 1918), was an American contractor from Lockport, New York. He was an associate in Peterson & Sons with his father, Gilbert Peterson and brother, Jesse Peterson. The company executed such ...

(1848–1918), American Contractor and Mayor former of Lockport, NY *

Christine Peterson Christine Peterson is an American forecaster, and the co-founder of Foresight Institute. She is credited with suggesting the term "open source Open source is source code that is made freely available for possible modification and redistrib ...

, American forecaster * Clark Peterson,(born 1966), film producer *

Chip Peterson Charles Bowne "Chip" Peterson (born December 3, 1987) is an American competition swimmer who specializes in long-distance freestyle swimming, especially open water swimming, in which he is a world champion. Career At the 2005 World Aquatics C ...

, (born 1987), American swimmer *

Collin Peterson Collin Clark Peterson (born June 29, 1944) is an American accountant and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 1991 to 2021. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, or the DFL. he was chairman of the Ho ...

(born 1944), American politician, congressman from Minnesota *

Coyote Peterson Nathaniel "Coyote" Peterson (born September 1, 1981) is an American YouTuber, wildlife educator, and host of Animal Planet's series ''Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild''. He is best known for his YouTube channel Brave Wilderness, which focuses on d ...

(born 1981) American Youtuber and Brave Wilderness Presenter * D. J. Peterson (born 1991), American baseball player *

Dan Peterson Daniel Lowell Peterson (born January 9, 1936) is a former American professional basketball head coach. He resigned from his most recent position as the head coach of Olimpia Milano in the Italian LBA after the team was eliminated in the semi-fi ...

(born 1936), American basketball coach * Daniel Peterson, American physician in private practice in the state of Nevada * Daniel C. Peterson, Professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University * David Peterson (disambiguation), multiple people * Daystar Peterson (born 1992), Canadian rapper and singer known professionally as Tory Lanez * Debbi Peterson (born 1961), American singer *

Denis Peterson Denis Peterson (born New York, 1944) is an American hyperrealist painter whose photorealist works have been exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Butler Institute of American Art, Tate Modern, Springville Museum o ...

, American painter * Donald H. Peterson (1933–2018), former American NASA astronaut * Donna C. Peterson (born 1946), American politician and educator *

Dorothy Peterson Bergetta "Dorothy" Peterson (25 December 1897 - 3 October 1979) was an American actress. She began her acting career on Broadway before appearing in more than eighty Hollywood films. Early years Peterson was born in Hector, Minnesota, the dau ...

(1897–1979), American actress * Doug Peterson (1945–2017), American yacht designer *

Drew Peterson Drew Walter Peterson (born January 5, 1954) is an American convicted murderer and former police sergeant who was found guilty in 2012 of the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, a few months after their 2003 divorce. Peterson first received ...

(born 1954), American former Illinois police sergeant and convicted murderer * Dustin Peterson (born 1994), American baseball player * Dutton S. Peterson (1894–1964), New York clergyman and politician * Elly M. Peterson (1914–2008) American, Michigan politician * Elmer Peterson, American farmer and politician * Elmer Peter Peterson (1904-1979), American electrician and politician *

Eric Peterson Eric Neal Peterson (born October 2, 1946) is a Canadian stage, television, and film actor, known for his roles in three major Canadian series – '' Street Legal'' (1987–1994), '' Corner Gas'' (2004–2009), and '' This is Wonderland'' ...

(born 1946), Canadian actor *

Eric Peterson (musician) Eric Stanley Peterson (born May 14, 1964) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist of the American thrash metal band Testament and is the only remaining original member left in the band, which first started in 1983 under th ...

(born 1964), American guitarist *

Erik Peterson (theologian) Erik Peterson Grandjean (7 June 1890 – 26 October 1960) was a German theologian and Christian archeologist. Biography Erik Peterson was born in Hamburg. He studied theology from 1910 to 1914 in Strasbourg, Greifswald, Berlin, Basel and Göttin ...

(1890–1960), German theologian * Esther Peterson (1906–1997), American, Assistant Secretary of Labor * Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018), American Presbyterian minister, scholar, theologian, author, and poet *

Frank Peterson Frank Peterson (born 29 December 1963) is a German music producer known for his work with Enigma and artists such as Sarah Brightman, Ofra Haza, Gregorian, Princessa, and Andrea Bocelli on his first international album, '' Romanza''. Peters ...

(born 1963), German music producer * Franklin P. Peterson (1930–2000), American mathematician * Frederick Peterson (neurologist) (1859–1938), American neurologist, psychiatrist, and poet * George P. "Bud" Peterson (born 1952), president, Georgia Institute of Technology * Gil Peterson (born 1936), American actor and singer *

Gilbert Peterson Gilbert Peterson (August 5, 1824 - November 14, 1890), was an American contractor from Lockport, New York. He was the founder and President of Peterson & Sons, which he ran with his two sons, Charles Gilbert Peterson and Jesse Peterson. The co ...

(1824–1890), American Contractor *

Gilles Peterson Gilles Jérôme Moehrle MBE (; born 28 September 1964), better known as Gilles Peterson (), is a French broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner. He founded the influential labels Acid Jazz and Talkin' Loud, and started his current label Brow ...

(born 1964), English DJ * Gordon Peterson, American broadcast journalist * Halvor H. Peterson (1831–1917), American farmer and politician * Hattie Peterson (1930–2017), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player *

Jace Peterson Jace Ryan Peterson (born May 9, 1990) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Balti ...

(born 1990), American baseball player * Jeret Peterson (1981–2011), American aerial skier * Jerome P. Peterson (1936–2018), American educator and politician * Jesse Peterson (1850–1921), American Industrialist and

Presidential Elector The United States Electoral College is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of appointing the president and vice president. Each state and the District of Columbia app ...

Jim Peterson James Scott Peterson (born July 30, 1941) is a retired Canadian politician. He was a Liberal member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1980 to 1984 and again from 1988 to 2007 who represented the northern Toronto riding of Willowdale. He ...

(born 1941), Canadian politician * John Peterson (disambiguation), multiple people *

Jordan Peterson Jordan Bernt Peterson (born 12 June 1962) is a Canadian media personality, clinical psychologist, author, and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. He began to receive widespread attention as a public intellectual in the late 2010s ...

(born 1962), Canadian psychologist, professor, academic, author and motivational speaker * Kandi Peterson (born 1981), American singer of dutch roots * Keith Peterson (born 1956), Canadian politician * Kevin Peterson (American football) (born 1994), American football player *

Kristjan Jaak Peterson Kristian Jaak Peterson (, Riga – , Riga) also known as Christian Jacob Petersohn, was an Estonian poet, commonly regarded as a herald of Estonian national literature and the founder of modern Estonian poetry. He died of tuberculosis aged 21. ...

(1801–1822), Estonian poet *

Laci Peterson The ''lac'' repressor (LacI) is a DNA-binding protein that inhibits the expression of genes coding for proteins involved in the metabolism of lactose in bacteria. These genes are repressed when lactose is not available to the cell, ensuring that ...

(1975–2002), American, murdered wife of Scott Peterson *

Lenka Peterson Lenka Peterson (born Betty Ann Isacson; October 16, 1925 – September 24, 2021) was an American theater, film, and television actress. Early years Peterson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Lenke (née Leinweber), a lab technician, an ...

(1925-2021), American actress *

Liza Jessie Peterson Liza Jessie Peterson is a playwright, actor, activist, and educator. She is known for her one-woman show, ''The Peculiar Patriot'' and her appearances in Ava DuVernay's film ''13th.'' Early life Liza Jessie Peterson is originally from Philadelp ...

, American playwright, actor, activist, and educator * Lynn Peterson, American politician * Lynn Peterson, Canadian, mayor of Thunder Bay, Ontario * Maggie Peterson (1941-2022), American actress * Mark Peterson (disambiguation), several people *

Martha Peterson Martha Jane "Marti" Peterson (''née'' Denny; born May 27, 1945), now known as Martha Peterson Shogi, is a former operations officer of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) known for her role in the TRIGON mission. Early life an ...

(born 1945) *

Maurice Peterson Sir Maurice Drummond Peterson GCMG (10 March 1889 – 15 March 1952) was a British diplomat who was minister or ambassador to several countries. Career Maurice Drummond Peterson was the younger son of William Peterson (later Sir William Peterso ...

(1889–1952), British diplomat * Michael Peterson (disambiguation) *

Morris Peterson Morris Russell Peterson Jr. (born August 26, 1977) is an American retired professional basketball player who played eleven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Michigan State University, where in ...

(born 1977), American basketball player * Norm Peterson (politician) (born 1939), Australian politician * Olive Peterson (1894–1965), American bridge player *

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards ...

(1925–2007), Canadian jazz pianist and composer * Oscar V. Peterson (1899–1942), American seaman in the US Navy *

Patrick Peterson Patrick De'mon Peterson Jr. (born July 11, 1990) is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, where he won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensiv ...

(born 1990), American football player * Peter George Peterson (1926–2018), businessman, author, and politician * Peter Peterson, 19th century Wisconsin merchant *

Pete Peterson Douglas Brian "Pete" Peterson (born June 26, 1935) is an American politician and diplomat. He served as a United States Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War and spent over six years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese army after his plane w ...

(1929–2019), baseball player *

(born 1935), American POW, US Congressman from Florida, and later ambassador to Vietnam * Peter Peterson (born 1953), former Canadian Member of Parliament *

(1903–1962), American motion picture special effects and stop-motion animation pioneer* *

Ralph Peterson Ralph Peterson may refer to: * Ralph Peterson Jr. (1962–2021), American jazz drummer and bandleader * Ralph Peterson (writer) Ralph Wilton Peterson (21 February 1921 – 2 November 1996) was an Australian writer (dramatist and playwright ...

(1962–2021), American jazz drummer and bandleader * Randolph W. Peterson (born 1953), American politician and judge *

Ray Peterson Ray Peterson (April 23, 1935 – January 25, 2005) was an American pop music, pop singing, singer who is best remembered for singing "Tell Laura I Love Her". He also scored numerous other hits, including "Corrine, Corrina" which was compose ...

(1939–2005), American pop singer * Rebecca Peterson (born 1995), Swedish tennis player *

Robin Peterson Robin John Peterson (born 4 August 1979) is a former South African cricketer who bowls left arm spin and is a capable batsman. He has played 14 Tests and over 70 ODIs for South Africa. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on ...

(born 1979), South African cricketer *

Roger Peterson (musician) Roger Francis Peterson (born 1 December 1980) is an Aruban-Dutch musician. He is known as the lead vocalist for the now-defunct rock band Intwine, which was active from 2001 to 2010. He also was a competitor on the first season of Dutch talent sh ...

, Aruban-Dutch musician *

Roger Peterson (pilot) On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event later became ...

(1937–1959), pilot of the plane that crashed killing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Jiles Perry Richardson * Roger Tory Peterson (1908–1996), American naturalist, ornithologist, artist, and educator *

Ronnie Peterson Bengt Ronnie Peterson (; 14 February 1944 – 11 September 1978) was a Swedish racing driver. Known by the nickname 'SuperSwede', he was a two-time runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship. Peterson began his motor racing caree ...

(1944–1978), Swedish racing driver * Russell W. Peterson (1916–2011), American engineer and politician, governor of Delaware *

Scott Peterson Scott Lee Peterson (born October 24, 1972) is an American convicted murderer. In 2004, he was convicted of the first-degree murder of his wife, Laci, who was pregnant at the time, and the second-degree murder of their unborn son, Conner, in Mod ...

(born 1972), American convicted murderer * Shelley Peterson (born 1952), Canadian actress * Stephen Peterson (rower) (born 1963), American world champion rower in 1990, 1996 Olympian * Thalia Gouma-Peterson (1933–2001), American professor * Thomas Mundy Peterson (1824–1904), first African-American to vote in an election * Thorleif T. Peterson (1885–1982), American farmer and politician * Todd Peterson (place kicker) (born 1970), American football player * Trudy Huskamp Peterson (born 1945), American historian, former acting Archivist of the United States *

Vadal Peterson Vadal Peterson (May 2, 1892 – September 1, 1976) was an American basketball coach with the distinction of coaching the most wins in University of Utah history. He guided Utah through 26 seasons from 1927 to 1953. He also led Utah to its only NC ...

(1892–1976), American college sports coach *

Val Peterson Frederick Valdemar Erastus Peterson (July 18, 1903 – October 17, 1983), also known as Val Peterson, was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 26th governor of Nebraska from 1947 to 1953, as director of the Federal Civil Defense A ...

(1903–1983), American, governor of Nebraska * Vicki Peterson (born 1958), American pop musician * Walter R. Peterson, Jr. (1922–2011), governor of New Hampshire * W. Wesley Peterson (1924–2009), American mathematician and computer scientist *

William Peterson (academic) Sir William Peterson, (29 May 1856 – 4 January 1921) was a Scottish academic and the Principal of McGill University from 1895 to 1919. Biography Born in Edinburgh, the fifth son of John Peterson and Grace Mountford Anderson, Peterson gra ...

(1856–1921), Scottish Latinist and classical scholar

Fictional characters with this surname

* Cora Peterson, a character in the 1966 science fiction film ''

Fantastic Voyage ''Fantastic Voyage'' is a 1966 American science fiction adventure film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Harry Kleiner, based on a story by Otto Klement and Jerome Bixby. The film is about a submarine crew who are shrunk to micros ...

'' * Chris Peterson, the main character from the American TV sitcom '' Get a Life'' (1990–1992) * Fred and Gladys Peterson, characters from the American TV sitcom '' Get a Life'' (1990–1992) *

Lindsay Peterson This is a list of characters in the Showtime series ''Queer as Folk''. The characters are listed alphabetically by their last name or by the name which appears in the episode credits. Drew Boyd Drew Boyd is the quarterback of the fictional Pitt ...

, character in the television series ''Queer as Folk'' *

Minty Peterson Rick "Minty" Peterson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Cliff Parisi. He made his first appearance on 11 March 2002. In his initial appearances, he was credited with the name "Rick". His nickname was giv ...

, character in ''EastEnders'' *

Norm Peterson Hilary Norman Peterson is a regular fictional character on the American television show ''Cheers''. The character was portrayed by actor George Wendt and is named Hilary after his paternal grandfather. Norm appeared in all 275 episodes of '' ...

, character on the American TV show ''Cheers'' * Penny, Patty, and Paul Peterson, characters in the 2014 computer animated film '' Mr. Peabody & Sherman'' * Ray Peterson, character portrayed by Tom Hanks in '' The 'Burbs'' * Sloane Peterson, character portrayed by Mia Sara in

Ferris Bueller's Day Off ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'' is a 1986 American teen comedy film written, co-produced, and directed by John Hughes and co-produced by Tom Jacobson. The film stars Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck with supporting roles by Jennifer ...

* Stinky Peterson, character on Animated TV Show ''

Hey Arnold! ''Hey Arnold!'' is an American animated comedy television series created by Craig Bartlett. It originally aired on Nickelodeon from October 7, 1996, to June 8, 2004. The show centers on fourth grader Arnold Shortman, who lives with his grandpar ...

''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peterson (Name) English-language surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names