Peters

Peters is a surname of Germanic origin, derived from the given name Peter and used as a patronymic meaning “son of Peter.” The name is common in German-speaking countries as well as in the Netherlands and parts of Scandinavia, often appearing in the forms Peters, Petersen, or Petersson. Related patronymic surnames include Petersen, Peters, and Petersson, depending on linguistic region.

The surname is widely distributed in the modern world, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and the United States, reflecting historical migration and settlement patterns. Notable individuals with the surname span many fields, including politics, science, sports, and the arts.

Beyond people, Peters can refer to places, such as towns or geographic features named Peters in various countries.

In mapping, the Peters projection, introduced by Arno Peters in the 1970s, is a rectangular map projection that preserves area roughly at the expense of shape. It is also called a variant of the Gall–Peters projection and has generated substantial debate over accuracy and representation.