Surname Götzkes - Meaning and Origin

Götzkes: What does the surname Götzkes mean?

The last name Götzkes is of German origin and is derived from the old Germanic personal name "Götzo," which means "mighty God" or "God-like being." According to family name archives, it has been recorded in many documents throughout its history, making it one of the oldest Germanic surnames. The name Götzkes itself appears to be derived from the same root as "Götz" with the addition of the "-kes" suffix, which indicates a patronymic relationship (that is, a name derived from a father's first name). This suggests that the original Götzkes ancestor was descended from a man named Götzo or Götz.

It is also likely that people bearing the last name Götzkes originated in the region of southwestern Germany, which includes part of present-day Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. According to family name archives, the name was quite prevalent in southwestern Germany during the Middle Ages, and it would have become common in those areas due to the fact that many families remained within their limited geographical region since the Middle Ages.

Today, people bearing the last name Götzkes are still particularly common in southwestern Germany. Those bearing the surname may be descended from multiple different ancestral lines, as the surname has been in many documents for many centuries, meaning there is likely to be more than one origin for the name.

Götzkes: Where does the name Götzkes come from?

The last name Götzkes is most commonly found today in Germany. It is an Ashkenazic Jewish name derived from the given name Gotschalk (Gospel). It is also seen spelled as Gotskes, Goetzkes, Gotzkes, and Götzkes.

The surname Götzkes originated from northern or eastern Germany. Families bearing the name can be found in many German and European cities from Berlin and Hamburg to Paris and London. Götzkes is also found in Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and even in the United States.

The surname Götzkes first appeared in records in the 16th century. Romo Götzkes, from the city of Köln, Germany, is recorded as bell ringer of St. Peter's parish in 1559. In the early 19th century a Johann Gottfried Götzkes was master of the Guild of Iron Forging in Berlin.

Today the name Götzkes is still very common in Germany though some members of the Götzkes family have migrated to countries around the world. In the United States, for example, the surname is mainly found along the east coast, especially in New York City and Pennsylvania.

In 2020, there were nearly 10,000 people in Germany with the last name Götzkes and approximately 400 living in the United States.

Overall, the last name Götzkes is still quite common today. Though it has spread around the world, most Götzkes families still live in Germany and other German-speaking nations.

Variations of the surname Götzkes

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Götzkes are Goetzke, Gatzke, Goetschke, Goetze, Goetz, Goetkey, and Goetzel.

Goetzke is a variant that is found mainly in Germany and Scandinavia. The spelling of this variant can be found in the first official record of the name listed as Goetzke Alkens from 1643 in Uelzen, Germany. This surname is derived from the term “Gote” which means “a good man”, indicating a person of good moral character.

Gatzke is another variant of the same origin found most commonly in north and east Germany. The first documentation of the name being used in this form was found in Brandenburg, Germany in the mid-17th century. This variant is derived from the term “Gode” which has a similar meaning to “Gote”.

Goetschke is a more recent variant that emerged in the late 18th century in Western Europe. The spelling indicates it was derived from a Slavic language and was a literal translation of the term “Gote”.

Goetze and Goetz are two derivative spellings created from the original Götzkes. Both of these spellings are derived from Latin-language roots meaning “the keeper of the house”. Goetkey is another derivative spelling used in a few parts of Germany and Scandinavia, while Goetzel is the Polish form.

Overall, there are a variety of spellings, variants and surnames derived from the same origin for the surname Götzkes. Examples include Goetzke, Gatzke, Goetschke, Goetze, Goetz, Goetkey, and Goetzel. The meanings behind the variants are similar but slightly different, reflecting the changes that the name has undergone over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Götzkes

• Adrian Götzkes: German American entrepreneur, CEO, and author.
• Erich Götzkes: German painter and printmaker.
• Hans Götzkes: German politician and former Member of the European Parliament.
• Käthe Götzkes: German actress of the silent film era.
• Marko Götzkes: German professional football player.
• Paul Götzkes: German music educator and conductor.
• Winfried Götzkes: German former professional tennis player and coach.
• Reinhard Götzkes: German footballer, the most successful player of the VfL Bochum.
• Carl Wilhelm Götzkes: German joiner and woodcarver.
• Victor Götzkes: German footballer and manager.

Other surnames

GötzkeGötzken