Clan Peter History

This surname comes from the given name Peter, in Latin Petrus, in Greek Πέτρος, taken from πέτρος meaning ‘a rock’.

The surname was relatively common in Angus, as well as Kincardineshire and Aberdeen.

In 1636, John Peter, a follower of the Earl of Mar, was charged with possession of stolen property from dealings with the outlawed Macgregors.

In Kirkcaldie (Kirkcaldy), in 1640, Andro Peiter was recorded as a witness.

David Peter was, in 1645, commissary depute in Peebles, whilst in Melrose, Alexander Peter was a notary public in 1648.

Other recorded spellings of this surname include Peiter and Petyr.