Surname Gofert - Meaning and Origin
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Gofert: What does the surname Gofert mean?
Gofert is a last name originating in Germany and is derived from the ancient Germanic tribes of the region. It first appeared in records during the late 12th century and was in use as a surname by the early 16th century. The surname itself likely comes from a combination of two German words, "gof" and "ert," literally meaning “go-power” or “act-power.”
In essence, the name Gofert is thought to refer to someone who was proactive in their actions, being bold and confident in their work and decision making. It is a fitting description not only for a person but also for a family - one that takes initiative and is willing to take calculated risks.
The Gofert name is also found dispersed in various areas throughout Germany, as the family moved around to different regions over the centuries. Even in modern times, though less widespread than in the past, many German families still trace their roots back to the Goferts.
In general, the Gofert name links many powerful members of German society throughout history, suggesting a vision of strength and resilience, perhaps made more lasting through its relatively unique surname.
Order DNA origin analysisGofert: Where does the name Gofert come from?
The surname Gofert is most common today in Germany. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "goffer" meaning "smith", and is thought to have originated in either northern or central Germany.
The majority of people with the surname Gofert currently reside in and around the Rhineland in the western part of the country. Goferts are most densely concentrated in the towns and cities of Bochum, Bonn, Dortmund, Essen, Heidelberg, Mannheim, and Munich.
In addition to Germany, Goferts can be found living in the Netherlands, primarily in the provinces of Friesland, Gelderland, and North Brabant. Those living in the United States are most likely descendants of German immigrants who settled in America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
While there have been some who have adopted the spelling Goffert, Gofert remains the most commonly used variation of the name today.
Variations of the surname Gofert
Gofert is a surname of German/Bavarian origin that is derived from the root word 'Gofer'. It is also found as the variants Goforth and Goffer, as well as the surnames Gofaert, Gophard, and Goffart.
Gofert is originally a toponymic name, which is a type of surname derived from the name of the place someone lived. This would mean that those with this surname originally came from a place with the name 'Gofert'. However, as this name is quite rare and does not appear to be associated with any particular settlement, it is likely that it became a surname due to another factor. It is possible that it originally may have been used as a nickname, meaning someone who worked at the Gofer farm of some kind.
Gofert is also occasionally found as a variant of the surname Goft, which is of the same etymological origin as Gofert, and may have originally been two separate families that later adopted variants of the same name. Goft is an Americanized spelling of this surname that is more commonly found in the US. The alternative spelling of Gofert is also found in the United States, however it is much rarer.
Overall, Gofert is a rare surname that may have originated from a nickname or place name, and it is found today under a variety of spellings and variants. These variants include Goforth, Goffer, Gofaert, Gophard, Goffart, and Goft.
Famous people with the name Gofert
- Reinhart Gofert: German philosopher and university professor
- Wolfgang Gofert: German former professional football (soccer) player
- Georg Gofert: Austrian music teacher and composer
- Heinrich Gofert: German-Swiss botanist
- Clyda Gofert: American radio and television actress
- Christian Gofert: German journalist, editor and entrepreneur
- Andrew Gofert: American former minor league baseball pitcher
- Marianne Gofert: Swiss ice hockey player
- Hyman Gofert: American author, political activist and businessman
- Walter Gofert: American visual effects designer, visual effects supervisor and production manager