Surname Gördes - Meaning and Origin
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Gördes: What does the surname Gördes mean?
Gördes is a German surname that has its roots in the Middle High German word "gorr", meaning "reedy, marshy land". It is presumed that the surname Gördes was first adopted by an individual living near or on a marshy or reedy area of land. The surname Gördes is distributed mainly in the state of Lower Saxony and is particularly common in the areas around Wolfsburg.
The name Gördes is derived from a topographical feature, usually describing specific pieces of land that gave an individual or family their name. Common topographic names are based on the natural environment of the region, such as a lake, a forest, or a type of land.
The family Gördes may have lived near or on a marshy or reedy area of land, hence the surname Gördes which originated from the Middle High German word 'gorr', meaning 'reedy, marshy land'. This type of surname is sometimes referred to as a 'habitation name', describing the home or residence of an individual and eventually being passed down to his descendants.
The name Gördes is connected to the term 'gorr', which could have referred to a specific geographical location that was famous in its area, or perhaps even a large marshy estate belonging to an influential family.
Today Gördes is still seen as a reputable surname in Germany, with many members of the family Gördes having achieved success in various walks of life.
Order DNA origin analysisGördes: Where does the name Gördes come from?
The last name Gördes is most commonly found today in Germany. According to some estimates, the surname is borne by around 800 people in the country. It is especially associated with the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Gördes is derived from the Middle High German word “gerten”, which means “to prepare” or “to provide”. It is believed to be a patronymic name, meaning that it was created from the personal name of the father of the original bearer. There are different variations of the surname, including Görtz, Gorz, Gehrtz and Görres, which is often found in the areas of Hamburg, Prussia and Austria.
The Gördes family was influential in the Prussian states, and the coat of arms of the Gördes family was once found on the Prussian von Gördes family crest. It has been suggested that the origins of the Gördes family in Germany may have been as early as the 14th century, though the earliest recorded instance of the surname is from the 16th century in Prussia.
The Gördes name is still strongly associated with family pride and strongly rooted ancestry. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular to trace one’s genealogy, and the Gördes family has had a strong presence in many family trees for centuries.
Variations of the surname Gördes
Gördes is a German surname that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is sometimes spelled Goerdes, or Gohrdes, and the variants of the same origin are Goardes, Goerdes, Goerdt, Gohrdes, Göhrde, Goerdel, and Gördel.
The name Gördes originates from the German region of Westphalia, and is derived from the Old High German ‘girdan’, which means to enclose or surround. This explains the name Gördes, as it could be referring to a person who lived near or within a walled or enclosed area.
In Ancient Germany, many people took their surnames from places or geographical features, and thus the people with the Gördes surname could have taken it from the enclosure they lived near. The same could be true of the variants as well.
Furthermore, this surname could also describe people who were warriors, as the Old High German word ‘girdan’ could refer to a soldier’s belt, indicating someone with physical strength and power. The variants of the name may give a slight hint to this as well, such as Gohrdes, which could be referring to someone who is a fierce warrior.
Overall, Gördes is a very old and historically significant surname, and the variants of the same origin all point to an interesting history of the people who bore it. Each variant could tell a unique story, and is a testament to the importance of surnames within a family’s history.
Famous people with the name Gördes
- Manfred Gördes: former footballer and elected Member of the European Parliament.
- Harry Gördes: former West German Paralympic athlete.
- Paul Gördes: German railway engineer, inventor, and social reformer.
- Franz Gördes: prominent Germen sculptor, specializing in expressionist art.
- Arthur Gördes: noted German landscape painter and illustrator.
- Lina Gördes: German film director, whose works often reflect a social critique.
- Johan Gördes: prominent German architect who is known for his modernist designs.
- Robert Gördes: German physicist who specialized in particle physics and quantum theory.
- Ulrike Gördes: notable German author of novels, plays, and essays.
- Karen Gördes: well-known German acrobat, juggler, and physical stage performer.