The Puterbaugh name goes back to what is now Germany. The name of the family would indicate that it was a native of the Upper Rhine Valley, probably in that section known as the Paltimate. The analysis of the name suggest that it is derived from two words: the part "bach" from which the ending "baugh" and other variations are derived, refer to a small stream or spring while the "butter" or "puder" refers to butter or its color; hence we arrive at the fact that the first person to bear the name lived at the yellow spring or yellow run. The popular belief is that all the Puterbaughs in America descend from one of two brothers, Johan Peter or George Putterbach.

More detailed information about the two brothers, the family coat of arms, and the Puterbaugh name is available from the links below.