Petrovych

Petrovych is a surname of Ukrainian origin. It is a patronymic-derived family name formed from the given name Petro, the Slavic form of Peter, with the suffix -vych, meaning “son of Petro.” As such, Petrovych historically indicated paternal lineage and later came to be used as a hereditary surname.

The name is most commonly found among Ukrainian-speaking populations and in the Ukrainian diaspora. It is also present in Belarus and in countries with sizable Ukrainian communities, including Canada, the United States, and Poland. Spelling and transliteration vary by language; in Russian contexts the equivalent is often rendered as Petrovich, while Polish-adapted forms may appear as Petrowicz.

Petrovych, like many East Slavic patronymic-derived surnames, arose independently in multiple families and does not denote a single founder. It remains relatively uncommon and is most strongly associated with East Slavic linguistic and cultural heritage.

Notable bearers of the surname span various fields, reflecting its broad distribution across Ukrainian and neighboring communities. See also related surnames such as Petrov, Petrovich, and Petrović.