indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from nickname)
Usage French
Other Forms FormsPettyjohn, Littlejohn, Pettijohn, Jeanpetit, Meiklejohn, Pettitjean, Pettittjean, Petijean, Pettijean, Pettitjohn, Petijohn, Pettijohn, Petitjohn, Pettittjohn, Petyjohn
Meaning & History
Nickname for a small or little man, or ironically a large or tall man, derived from Old French petit meaning "small, little" combined with the given name Jean 1. It was also used to denote the younger of two individuals with the same given name.