The surname Petrou is of Greek origin, derived from the personal name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common surname in Greece, Cyprus, and other countries with Greek populations. The name Petros is a given name in the Greek Orthodox Church, derived from the apostle Peter, who was known as the rock upon which the church was built.
The surname Petrou is most commonly found in Greece, with over 7,000 incidences according to available data. It is also prevalent in Cyprus, with over 5,000 incidences. In the United Kingdom, the surname has over 1,200 incidences, particularly in England. In the United States, Australia, and Canada, the surname has fewer incidences but is still present in significant numbers.
In other countries such as South Africa, France, Germany, Belgium, and Zimbabwe, the surname Petrou is less common but still exists with varying incidences. It has also spread to countries in South America, such as Brazil and Venezuela, as well as European countries like Sweden, Switzerland, and Russia.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Petrou. In Greece, there have been prominent figures in politics, academia, and the arts with this surname. In Cyprus, the surname is associated with influential families and individuals in various fields.
In the United Kingdom, individuals with the surname Petrou have made significant contributions to society in diverse areas. In the United States, Australia, and Canada, bearers of this surname have established themselves in various professions and industries.
Like many surnames, the spelling of Petrou may vary depending on the country and language. Common variant spellings include Petrοu, Petrov, Petrovski, and Petrova. These variations may result from transliterations, phonetic spellings, or regional adaptations.
The surname Petrou has a rich history and widespread distribution across various countries. Its origins in Greece and Cyprus are reflected in the significant number of incidences in these regions. Through migration and cultural exchange, the surname has also spread to other parts of the world, where bearers have contributed to their respective societies.
Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same occurs in the case of Petrou, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that may be found in all the countries of this globe. In the same way you can find nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Petrou is more than in other countries.
The possibility of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Petrou on the planet, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves on the map, for a tangible country, we can understand tangible number of people using the surname Petrou, to obtain in this way the precise information of all the Petrou that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not only in which the surname Petrou arises from, but also in what manner the folks who're initially an element of the household that bears the surname Petrou have moved and moved. In the same way, you are able to see by which places they have settled and grown up, which explains why if Petrou is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations for the globe it's possible this one of our ancestors once moved to.