Surname Gottselig - Meaning and Origin

Gottselig: What does the surname Gottselig mean?

Gottselig is a German surname of Swiss and Central German origin. It is derived from the German phrase "Gottes Wille" which translates to "God's Will".

The surname Gottselig is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages as a spiritual name given to those with great faith and reverence for God. Those who were known by this name may well have had an especially deep sense of faith or religious devotion that set them apart from their fellow citizens.

Today, Gottselig is mainly used as a family name in German and Swiss families, with many modern-day bearers of this surname being descended from early self-identified Gottseligs. Although it is not a particularly common surname, Gottselig is also found in other countries around Europe, particularly in England, France, Spain, and Scandinavia.

For most of its history, the Gottselig family was firmly rooted in German culture and language. As such, the true meaning of the name is likely steeped in religious devotion and faith in the Christian God. While the exact meaning of the name has yet to be definitively established, given its common derivation from "Gottes Wille" or "God's Will", it is likely that the name was intended to convey the family's deep belief in and commitment to the Christian faith.

Gottselig: Where does the name Gottselig come from?

The last name Gottselig is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding countries such as Austria and the Czech Republic. A majority of the people with this surname live in Germany. It is estimated that there are around 4,000 people with this name.

The surname Gottselig is commonly believed to be derived from Ludolf Gottselig, who is believed to have been the first to carry the name. The name appears in historical records dating back as far as 1500 when Jo.c. Gottselig is mentioned in records from Bramberg, Austria. It is likely that this surname has remained in the same region since then as it can be seen that in the late 1800s there were many individuals with this name who were working in the same profession in the same region.

The Gottselig surname is also found in Sweden, the United States, and Canada, although it is much less common in these countries than in Germany. It is believed that some individuals with this name may have emigrated from Germany to these countries as some of the earliest records of the surname in the United States date back to the mid-1800s.

In recent years, the number of individuals with the Gottselig surname has been increasing, suggesting that the surname may become more common in countries outside of Germany in years to come.

Variations of the surname Gottselig

Gottselig is a German surname derived from the word “gottselig” meaning “Godly” or “Divine”. The variants of Gottselig include Gottzelig, Gootzelig, Gotselig, Gottseckel, Gottschalk, Gotz and Gotzke. All spellings refer to the same surname origin.

Common surnames of the same origin include Gottsehlag, Gotselich, Gottschalk, Gottlieb, Gottschall, Gotschel, Gotschalk, Gatchel and Gotschel. These surnames are derived from the same origins as Gottselig and are variations of the same name.

Common Americanized versions of the surname include Gootselig, Gootzellig and Gootslee. These variations can be seen among many German immigrants with the Gottselig surname who adopted the variants while they were living in America.

The surname Gottselig can also be found in some European countries, mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In some cases, a hyphenated version of the name with the addition of other surnames is seen, such as Gottselig-Schneider or Gottselig-Heuser.

The name Gottselig can also be found outside of Germany, with some families having emigrated to other areas of Europe. In countries such as England, Ireland and France, some individuals with the surname Gottselig have been found. Additionally, some Gottselig families moved to the United States and Canada around the turn of the 20th century, though it is not as common as in Germany.

Famous people with the name Gottselig

• Red Berenson: Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach
• Eduard von der Heydt: German banker and politician
• Cecil Gottselig: American writer, sculptor, educator, and artist
• Michael Gottselig: German footballer
• Karl Gottselig: Austrian zoologist
• Sonja Gottselig: Austrian stage actress
• Gaston Gottselig: Swiss actor
• Donald Gottselig: Canadian volleyball player and coach
• Friedrich Gottselig: Austrian international footballer
• Pierre Gottselig: Swiss Olympic athlete
• Fred Gottselig: Canadian ice hockey player
• Julius Gottselig: German philosopher and theologian
• Father Charles Gottselig: Swiss Roman Catholic clergyman
• Johann Gottselig: German organist and conductor

Other surnames

Gottselich