Surname Goettert - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Goettert: What does the surname Goettert mean?
The last name Goettert is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "Göttert". The literal translation of the word into English is “a tributary of a god.” It is believed that Goettert was originally the name of a heraldic symbol of a small metal figure in the shape of a person, believed to be a representation of a tributary of a god.
The surname Goettert is relatively uncommon. The most common variation is Göcke but is not exclusive to Germany; other countries, such as the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia also possess the Germanic variant.
The surname Goettert was likely given to those who were extremely devoted to the gods in their ancient cultural context or to those who made contributions to Christianity; however, due to the scarcity of data regarding the surnames origin, this remains academic speculation.
Goettert likely emerged as a family name in the late 18th century, right around the time that Napoleon and his liberal reforms began to shape German politics. The changes would have contributed to the spread of the German language and culture, thus allowing the name to gain traction.
By the mid-19th century, Goettert had become a popular surname across Europe's major cities, and had made substantial inroads into America. Those still carrying the name can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, and the USA.
Today, those bearing the surname are proud to use a surname that honors their Germanic ancestors and embrace their heritage in all of its shades.
Order DNA origin analysisGoettert: Where does the name Goettert come from?
The surname Goettert is an old German surname. The name is derived from Old High German, and translates to "God-fearing". Today, Goettert is commonly found in Germany, although the surname can also be found in other countries with German immigrant populations such as the United States, Australia, South America, and parts of Asia.
In Germany, the Goettert surname is most commonly found in the states of Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Thüringen. Many people bearing the Goettert name originated from those specific regions. Those who can trace their ancestry to the three states usually either hail from a family of tradespeople or craftsmen who used to live in rural villages or hamlets.
In the United States, the largest population of Goettert family members are found in Wisconsin and Ohio. This is due to large-scale German immigration to those areas in the 19th century. In Australia, Goettert family members mostly reside in the capital cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney, where the areas with the largest German immigrant populations are found, while in South America, the surname is commonly found in the large cities of Uruguay and Argentina, where German immigration is well-documented in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname Goettert is rare and not as common today as it used to be, as it has undergone various changes over time. However, the name still exists in different parts of the world, and is still carried on by descendants of the original German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Goettert
The surname Goettert can be spelled in many different ways, depending on cultural background, including Goetter, Gotter, Götter, Göttler, Göttert, Gödert, Geudert, Godet, Godete, Goedert, Goeddert, and Götthert.
The variants of Goettert born in Germany can trace their name back to the Middle Ages when their ancestors were craftsmen and tradesmen of primitive tools and weapons. Today, the variations of the name are still found in Germany, although they have spread throughout Europe, North America, and other parts of the world.
Goettert can be traced to the Middle High German word “goter,” which referred to a forge or forge-room. This most likely referred to someone who was a blacksmith, who forged and repaired tools and weapons. In everyday German, the term “götter” still retains the meaning of “tester,” meaning someone who examines for quality control. This could also refer to how the family members of Goettert were examined for their quality of craftsmanship.
Other derivatives of Goettert come from the Germanic elements “gott,” meaning “god,” and “hard,” meaning “brave and hardy.” Thus, the surname is believed to refer to someone who was god-fearing and sturdy.
The variants of Goettert have undergone many changes throughout the years due to migrations, as well as regional accentuation and spelling reform. Hence, it is important to consider the regional location of a family to determine the exact origin and spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name Goettert
- Alexander Goettert: German actor, producer, choreographer, DJ, and singer.
- Ralf Goettert: German professional footballer.
- Friedrich Goettert: German Olympic cross-country runner from the 1920's.
- Frank Goettert: Former German heavyweight boxing champion in the 1920's.
- Ewald Goettert: German politician who served as a member of the German Reichstag in the early 1920's.
- Betty Goettert: American actress who appeared in the 1952 film, “Here Comes the Groom”.
- Enno Goettert: German World War II veteran who was awarded the Knight's Cross.
- Karl Ivar Goettert: German composer and conductor in the early 1930's.
- Wilhelm Goettert: German painter from the late 19th century.
- Otto Goettert: A German baron who served as the mayor of Trier in the early 1900's.