Pettus

Pettus is a surname of English origin. It may refer to people who bear the name as well as to landmarks or institutions named after individuals with the surname. The best-known bearer is Edmund Pettus (1821–1907), an American attorney, Confederate general, and United States senator from Alabama. The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, is named in his honor and has become a prominent symbol in American civil rights history due to the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, commonly associated with the events of “Bloody Sunday.” The bridge is widely recognized as a historic landmark connected to the struggle for voting rights.

Beyond Edmund Pettus, the Pettus surname appears among various individuals in American and, to a lesser extent, British contexts. These figures have included professionals, public officials, and private citizens who share the family name. Genealogical sources indicate that Pettus can be found in English records dating back several centuries, and the name spread to North America and other regions through migration and settlement.

In contemporary usage, Pettus primarily functions as a family name. It may also appear in place names or commemorations established to honor individuals bearing the Pettus surname. As with many surnames, its meaning and distribution have evolved over time as families moved and diversified.