Recorded in the modern spellings of Pitway, Pittway and Pittaway, this is an English surname. It is locational or at least residential, and probably originates from the village of Pitway, near the small town of Petherton, in the county of Somerset. The surname is fairly widely recorded through the country, although never in large numbers, and it is probable that some nameholders at least originate from other 'lost' medieval sites. However spelt the surname translates as the 'the pit by the road', from the Olde English pre 7th century 'pyt - weg'. Whether the pit was a coal pit, a quarry, or simply a hollow in the ground, would depend on the precise local circumstances. In Petherton area it may well have been a sand pit, although coal has been dug in the Somerset region, so that may also be possible. The surnme being a 'from' name, which is to say that it was almost certainly given to people after they left their original homes and moved elsewhere, it is perhaps not surprising that it is rarely recorded in Somerset. We do however have the recording of James Pittaway of Dunster, West Somerset, who was a christening witness there on October 28th 1832. The surname is recorded much earlier in London, Anne Pitwaie, so much for spelling, being a witness at the church of St Mary Colechurch, city of London, on January 23rd 1624, whilst on March 26th 1695, Edward Pittway married Alice Furniss at the church of St James, Dukes Place, Westminster.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024