Peterson-Peterman Family History

This Low German surname of Peterman was a baptismal name meaning 'the son of Peter'. The name was extremely popular throughout Christian Europe in the Middle Ages, as it had been bestowed by Christ as a byname on the apostle Simon bar Jonah, the brother of Andrew. The name was chosen for its symbolic significance, is a translation of the Aramaic 'kefa' meaning a rock. St. Peter is regarded as the foundling father of the Christian church, and in Christian Germany in the 14th century was the most frequent given name. In England the vernacular form of Piers was usual at the time when surnames were being assumed. It has long been a matter of doubt when the bearing of coats of arms first became hereditary and it was not until the Crusades that Heraldry came into general use. Men went into battle heavily armed and were difficult to recognise. It became the custom for them to adorn their helmets with distinctive crests, and to paint their shields with animals and the like. Coats of arms accompanied the development of surnames, becoming hereditary in the same way. Surnames are divided into four categories, from occupations, nicknames, baptismal and locational. All the main types of these are found in German-speaking areas, and names derived from occupations and from nicknames are particularly common. A number of these are Jewish. Patronymic surnames are derived from vernacular Germanic given names, often honouring Christian saints. Regional and ethnic names are also common. The German preposition 'von (from) or 'of', used with habitation names, is taken as a mark of aristocracy, and usually denoted proprietorship of the village or estate from where they came. Some members of the nobility affected the form VON UND ZU with their titles. In eastern Germany there was a heavy influence both from and on neighbouring Slavonic languages. Many Prussian surnames are of Slavonic origin. Johann Georg Justus (l749-l8l6) German publisher established a publishing house in Gotha in l785 which acquired, in the hands of his sons, a great reputation as a geographical institute. It issued PETERMANN'S MITTEILUNGEN, Stieler's ATLAS, and books of travel.

Scarberry is a very important branch of the Peterman Family for Edna Scarberry married into the Peterman family by marrying Gondola Ray Peterman. Which they both meet in Lawrence County, Kentucky and then departed to Franklin County, Ohio in the early 20th century. Edna's Great Great Grandfather Robert Scarberry was born with the name Robert Scarbrough, but later changed it to Scarberry for some reason or another, more research is needed to find out why. Back in those days many family members would fight and change their surnames or by moving to America they often change their surnames to fit in. The surnames was even changed to hide from local law enforcement. David Scarberry was the first Scarberry to be born with that surname. Scarberry goes back to 1766, with Robert Scarberry- Scarbrough 1766-1855.

Wiley is even more important as the Wiley family name goes further back then the Scarberry family name and does not change. Mary Wiley married into the Scarberry family by marrying Jacob Scarberry. Which they had many children, that had many children. Wiley goes back to 1712, with the family member Thomas Wiley 1712-1780.

Sellards is even more important as the Sellards family name goes further back then the Scarberry or Wiley family name and does not change. Virginia Jean Sellards married into the Wiley family by marrying Thomas Wiley. Which they had many children, that had many children. Sellards goes back to 1706, with the family member Peter John Sellards 1706-

The three surnames above are the most important surnames of the Peterman family and are added to the Peterman family ancestry. Not all Scarberry, Wiley and Sellards are connected to the Peterman family. I have used United States Federal Census Records, Birth certificate Records, Marriage Certificate Records, Military Records, Death Certificate Records, Public Records and Social Security Numbers of dead family members to ensure they are the correct ones.

Our family came from Virginia to Kentucky and some went to West Virginia and others went to Ohio. Many stayed in West virginia and Kentucky, most of our family is in Kentucky today. Although we have many family members in Florida and Ohio today, along with Kentucky.