Pitman

Pitman is a surname of English origin and has been borne by various individuals in history. The best-known figure is Sir Isaac Pitman (1813–1897), an English educator who developed the Pitman shorthand system. The name also appears in place names and institutions in English-speaking countries.

Pitman shorthand, also known simply as Pitman shorthand, is a phonetic system of rapid writing developed by Isaac Pitman in 1837. It employs a set of strokes and marks to represent consonant and vowel sounds, with variations in line thickness and position to indicate different meanings or speeds. The system was designed to enable fast transcription and learning could be accomplished by many students, making it popular in business, journalism, and court reporting for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Over time, several regional and language adaptations emerged, and Pitman shorthand remained influential as one of the major shorthand methods alongside other systems.

Geographically, Pitman names include places such as Pitman, New Jersey, a borough in Gloucester County, United States. The surname has spread to various countries through migration and diaspora, contributing to a diverse set of notable individuals beyond Sir Isaac Pitman, including authors, educators, and professionals who carry the name today.