Surname Göltner - Meaning and Origin
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Göltner: What does the surname Göltner mean?
The last name Göltner is a German occupational name from the Middle High German word ‘goltner’, meaning ‘goldsmith’. This was originally the profession of a skilled artisan involved in the production of goods from gold – which was an esteemed and highly sought-after trade. Goldsmiths were known to craft a range of objects from coins and jewelry to decorative religious artifacts.
The name Göltner – or its variants – can be found across several different countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary. It has been used for centuries and is typically found amongst those descended from Jewish communities. This reflects on the high standing of goldsmiths in the Middle Ages, with Jewish communities often being the only community able to practice the trade due to certain anti-Jewish practices at the time.
By bearing this name, those descended from the Göltner line are defined as part of a legacy – a long lineage of skilled artisans and craftsmen. As such, it provides a strong sense of identity, as well as a reminder of the struggle, trials, and triumphs of those who have gone before.
Order DNA origin analysisGöltner: Where does the name Göltner come from?
The last name Göltner is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the website Forebears, it ranked as the 40th most common last name in Germany, with over 32,000 individuals carrying the name in that country alone. It also ranked 86th for Austria and the 180th most popular last name in Switzerland.
Although it has only been recorded in the German-speaking areas of Europe, Göltner is likely derived from the medieval personal name "Gölde". This was popular among both German and Scandinavian countries—Sweden and Norway—in the Middle Ages, and was eventually altered to take on the more German-influenced form of Göltner following the spread of the German language.
Unrelated to the modern Göltner family, there is also a variant of the name found in the Polish-speaking area of Europe—Głątowski—which is believed to share a similar medieval origin. In addition, Göltner is often identified as a variant of other German surnames including Gödder, Gödeke, Göhte and Goltz.
Overall, the Göltner surname has been most frequently recorded in its modern form by individuals living in the German-speaking region of Europe for centuries. With its rich history and more than thirty Thousand documented individuals bearing the name in recent surveys, it has certainly left its mark on the European landscape.
Variations of the surname Göltner
The surname Göltner (also spelled Goeltner or Goeltzner) is of German-Upper Bavarian origin. Most people with this surname are found in the Bavarian region of Germany, where the associated family line can be traced back to the Middle Ages.
Göltner is typically a patronymic surname (meaning the surname was based on the father's given name). Historically, it has been found among people of Bavarian trades like miners, armorers, brewers, tanners, and even artisans. People with this surname commonly used several variations of spellings, including Goeltner, Goeltzner, Goeltener, Göllner, Gollner, and Gollener.
There are also several other surnames which have a similar origin to Göltner. Some common variants include Gälterle, Gelterle, Gölterle and Golterle, which trace back to the root word "Gölt" — a common occupational term used in Bavaria to describe someone with the profession of "gold-refiner".
Other similar surnames of Bavarian origin include Gingele, Gilble, Gollbichler, Goltz, Kemler, Lenges, Müller and Wittmann. All of these variations trace back to a common Germanic language root of "gelo" which means "yellow", referring to the color of gold.
Finally, there have been several variations of the spelling Göltner which have developed over time. Some less common, modern variations include Goeltener, Göllner, Göltzner, Goltner, Gollener, and Gollner.
Famous people with the name Göltner
- Albert Göltner: a German gastronome who is most known for bringing the principles of French cuisine to the German culinary world.
- Armin Göltner: a Swiss actor and theatre director who works primarily in Zurich.
- Verena Göltner: a German writer and journalist with a focus on social and sustainability topics.
- Bernd Göltner: a former German professional glassblower and artist now residing in Osnabrück.
- Carla Göltner: a German-born singer and songwriter who has released several albums.
- Klaus Göltner: a German-Swedish pediatric orthopedic surgeon who serves public and private hospitals in northern Europe.
- Fabian Göltner: a German yogi and author of several books about yoga who runs retreats throughout Europe and the United States.
- Jan Göltner: a German chef and food producer known for his vegan and vegetarian recipes.
- Stephan Göltner: a German attorney who specializes in international law and works on cases involving human rights violations.
- Franz Göltner: a German professor of Renaissance literature who has written several books on the subject.