Meaning & History
Perrot is a French surname, originating as a diminutive of the given name Pierre. In the hierarchy of names from Pierre to Peter and ultimately the Greek petros meaning 'stone' or 'rock', the suffix -ot creates a pet form common in medieval French. The surname thus literally means 'little Pierre' or 'son of little Pierre'. It is most prevalent in the Finistère département of Brittany, reflecting a strong regional concentration. Variants Perrault, Perreault (often very common in Quebec), and Perrin share the same root.
History and Notable Bearers
The surname Perrot came to prominence in England through Sir John Perrot (1527–1592), a significant figure of the Tudor era. Born into a Welsh family, his father-in-law, a courtier, secured him favor, and under Queen Elizabeth I, Sir John was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1584 to 1588. During his tenure, he attempted to assert English authority over the Irish lordships and was involved in the colony of Munster. However, he was later recalled, accused of treason, and died under suspicion, likely a victim of political scheming. His life illustrates how this originally French surname traveled to Britain, was established, and became entwined in national affairs later recorded in documents like the Dictionary of American Family Names.
Not mentioned in primary sources of the Reformation period, but worth noting as a distaff branch of this name is the biblical etymology that connects to Pierre/Peter, including Catherine Perrot, an English industrialist's daughter recorded in 17th‑century times. Another cultural appearance of the name is geographic: Perrot State Park in Wisconsin, named for a family of settlers of French origin who took up land around the Mississippi—a common example of how geographical names outside of Europe continue to reference the original European surnames in America.
Cultural and Geographic Distribution
In France, the surname is most widespread in Finistère and throughout Brittany, a stronghold for many theonymic “P-” names. It is well‑distributed, both as a maiden and family surname, and also has recorded variation into many types such as Pérot (accent), which after French custom gave birth to the suffixes -otter, -ierre (etc). Mapping migration patterns to Canada & America saw further truncation or reinvention into Perrotte as an anglicised form. Ecclesiastically and among cognate cultures many families share it alongside Armenian Bedrosian or Russian Petrov, all ultimately derived from the same rock‑names of Peter.
- Meaning: Diminutive of Pierre, 'son of little Peter'
- Origin: French/Breton
- Type: Surname, patronymic/pet form
- Regions of higher density: Brittany (Finistère, France), Quebec (Perreault variants), Wales/England, coastal Carolinas, region of Perrot State Park, Wisconsin
- Kinship with cognates: Russian Petrov, Armenian Bedrosian
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Perrot