Surname Pickholtz - Meaning and Origin

Pickholtz: What does the surname Pickholtz mean?

The last name Pickholtz is of Jewish origin, believed to be of either Polish or Ashkenazic descent. It is an occupational surname, derived from the Polish term “pikusz” meaning “picker” or “gatherer”. The term was likely used to refer to someone who worked as a berry-picker or grain-gatherer.

The name is also thought to originate from the Middle High German term “pichel”, meaning “mallet” or “axe”, likely referring to a profession involving woodworking. In the 17th century, Jews were forbidden from owning land and working the land of Polish nobility, and thus had to adopt professions that could be performed off the farm, such as woodworking.

The Pickholtz name is found most commonly in Poland and Russia, where Jews of this name were among the earliest settlers. Today, people with the Pickholtz last name can be found all over the world. In America, the Pickholtz surname is most prevalent in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. With its many possible interpretations of its origin, the Pickholtz last name is rich with symbolism, representing hardworking individuals striving to make a living and find a place to fit into the world.

Pickholtz: Where does the name Pickholtz come from?

The last name Pickholtz is mostly common in Europe, particularly in the countries of Germany, Hungary, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic.

It is believed that the name originated as a toponymic name from a small village in the historic region of Galicia in Ukraine, which is where the majority of those with the Pickholtz surname originate. The meaning of the name likely refers to a pick handle, or a tool used to cut heads of grain, implying an agricultural origin.

In more recent history those with the Pickholtz name have spread to other countries, particularly around Europe and North America. In the United States, Pickholtz is one of the few surnames ranked between 1 and 1000 that is of predominantly Eastern European origin.

In the United States the census for 2000 records nearly 800 people with the last name Pickholtz, predominantly clustered around the east coast states of New York and Pennsylvania. Other American states with sizable family populations are Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas.

Outside the US, the majority of the Pickholtz population is concentrated in Germany with over 2,000 individuals recorded in the 2005 national census.

Variations of the surname Pickholtz

The surname Pickholtz has many variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin.

Variants include: Pickholtz, Pickholtzer, Pickholz, Pickholzer, Pickholtzin and Pickholtzki.

Spellings include: Pikholtz, Pikhltz, Pikholtzer, Pikholz, Pikholzer, Pikholtzin and Pikholtzki.

Surnames of similar origin include: Pickholt, Pickholte, Pickholtes, Pickholtel, Pickholteson, Pickholtx, Pikeholt, Pikholte, Pikholtes, Pikholtel and Pikholteson.

In other countries, the surname has an entirely different look. It is spelled as Pikhulce in Polish; Pickhulce in Ukrainian; Piculczy and Pickulczy in Czech and Pickulci in Italian.

The origin of the surname suggests Jewish ancestry, as it is derived from the Hebrew Yiddish name Pikholz, which is derived from a combination of two Hebrew words: pikh meaning "bag"and holz meaning "wood".

The surname is mostly found in countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

No matter how the surname is spelled, it always refers to the same origin.

Famous people with the name Pickholtz

• Caryn Pickholtz: American artist and photographer
• Christy Pickholtz: American photographer
• Jennifer Pickholtz: American photographer
• John Pickholtz: American author and filmmaker
• Judith Pickholtz: American painter
• Michael Pickholtz: American filmmaker
• Miriam Pickholtz: American pastor and activist
• Sofia Pickholtz: American singer and songwriter
• Tracey Pickholtz: American painter and potter
• Aaron Pickholtz: American sculptor

Other surnames

Pickholz