Surname Göttgens - Meaning and Origin

Göttgens: What does the surname Göttgens mean?

The last name Göttgens is a German surname, which has its origin in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German noun “Götter”, meaning “gods”, and the suffix “-gens”, meaning “descendants”, making the literal translation “Descendants of the Gods”.

The surname Göttgens is all but extinct today, as a result of its religious origin. The intrigued last name was most likely a prideful expression, the kind that was applicable during the Middle Ages, when family ties meant being part of a greater house or nobility.

The proud origin, and the ancient times it was established in, hint towards Göttgens as a name possibly assigned to those who exhibited a great sense of creativity and leadership, or those who sought recognition for their farming skills in the local village.

Although Göttgens has only a few members associated with it today, the family values and aspirations of those who first adopted it still hold a place in the hearts and minds of its current members.

Today, the Göttgens surname remains meaningful, a reminder of the bold visionaries who dared to use it. In its origin, the Göttgens surname is embedded with a sense of the past, of an extraordinary journey that the family has undertaken to get where they are today.

Göttgens: Where does the name Göttgens come from?

The last name Göttgens is a German-language surname of Jewish origin. It is possible that the family has its roots in the medieval Ashkenazi Jewish community of Central Europe. Today, Göttgens is mainly a German surname, but it can also be found in other countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

In Germany, Göttgens is most commonly found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. This reflects the long history of Jewish settlement in the Rhineland and the large Jewish population of Frankfurt in particular. Traces of Göttgens-related Jewish populations can be found in both large and small cities throughout the country.

Outside of Germany, Göttgens is still seen in many countries, though often in small numbers. In the United States, Göttgens is most likely to be found in the east coast, particularly in New York, Maryland, and Virginia. Canadian bearers of the name are more likely to be found in Ontario and Quebec. Australia is also home to a small number of Göttgens households, concentrated in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Overall, Göttgens can be found anywhere in the world, but it is most commonly found in Germany and its neighboring countries. For those with a family connection to the name, tracing the history and connecting with relatives around the world can be a rewarding experience.

Variations of the surname Göttgens

The surname Göttgens is of Germanic origin and is derived from the personal names Gode-ing or Go-ing. Variations of the name include Gode-ing, Go-ing, Göttin, Götten, Götting, Göttling and Göttlingen. It can also be found in various other variants such as Gotten, Gottehen, Gottenheim, Gottschalg, Göttel, Göttenmann, Göttmann and Gottreich.

In older records, Göttgens may be found spelled Gothgens, Godtgens, Gottgens, Gootgens, Göthgens or Gootings. The name may also be found spelled in the Low German dialect as Gotting, Gottinge and Gottingen.

The surname Göttgens is common in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. In some cases, the surname may have been Anglicized as Gotting, Gottingen or Gottschalk, while in parts of Northern Germany, the name has been evolved to Götting.

Göttgens is an occupational surname that originally described a person who made or sold pottery and is derived from the old German words ‘goth’ (clay) and ‘ening’ (maker). Over time, the surname became a family name as potters passed their trade down through the generations.

Famous people with the name Göttgens

• Tijs Göttgens: Former Dutch professional footballer, who played as a striker for FC Twente, AGOVV Apeldoorn, and Helmond Sport.
• Theo Göttgens: Honorary President of the International Motorcycle Federation.
• Florian Göttgens: German professional ice hockey player, who plays for Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
• Boris Göttgens: German cell biologist and geneticist, best known for his research on nuclear and chromatin structures in embryonic stem cells.
• Klaus Göttgens: German former footballer, who played for Bayern Munich, Freiburger FC, as well as the Dutch club AFC.
• Bob Göttgens: Dutch former professional football player, who played as a striker for a variety of clubs, including AGOVV Apeldoorn and Excelsior Rotterdam.
• Mica Göttgens: Dutch professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder for PEC Zwolle.
• Hans-Jürgen Göttgens: German professor of biochemistry and Director of the Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Cologne.
• Marijke Göttgens:influential Dutch sculptress known for her portrait busts and memorial monuments.
• Jana Göttgens: German painter, illustrator and graphic designer, known for her whimsical watercolours and drawings.

Other surnames

Göttgen