Surname Körtje - Meaning and Origin

Körtje: What does the surname Körtje mean?

The surname Körtje is a German name, and is derived from the old German term “Kort-” which translates to ‘short’. It is believed to have been used to refer to people who were of short stature. The name has been found in records dating at least as far back as the 17th century in areas of northern Germany.

The surname is also common among Dutch people, and in Dutch the name is spelled ‘Kortje’. In some cases, the name may be found in records also spelled "Koertje" or "Körtje".

The meaning of the surname is usually taken to be “short”, a descriptive name given to people with a shorter than average stature. Other cases have been known where the name was handed down from a nickname given to someone of a cheerful or merry disposition.

The surname is seen throughout the world, including in Australia, the United States, Canada and Germany. The name remains popular in many European countries, particularly in the Netherlands.

The name Körtje is a unique and interesting surname to carry, and is likely to evoke conversation when it’s met. Whether used as a nod to one’s short stature, or as a reminder of a carefree and jovial ancestor, the name serves as a reminder of the spread of cultures across the world.

Körtje: Where does the name Körtje come from?

The last name Körtje is commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany. It is a fairly rare surname, only found in small numbers in other countries. The origin of the name comes from the German language, and it means 'little corner'.

In its original form, the name was Körtje, but it has been Anglicized to Köritz over time. The Körtje family has been living in the Netherlands since at least the 1700's. The Körtje family was recorded in an ancient Dutch census in the 1800s, which showed the surname as being present in the Netherlands at that time.

In Germany, Körtje can be found in the northern regions. It is especially common in the regions of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The exact origin of the family is not known, but it likely goes back to the 1600s, when German immigrants started arriving in the region.

Today, the Körtje name is still found in both countries, although it is not as common as other names. It is still a fairly popular name in the Netherlands and can be found in various cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Maastricht. In Germany, it is more common in the northern regions, although you might find a few families with the name in other areas as well.

Variations of the surname Körtje

The surname Körtje has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Koertje, Koertgen, Kortgen, Kortgens, Korte, Courte, and Cortes. The spelling variants are Körtje, Körtgen, Körtgens, Körte, Körten, Körtens, Körtes, and Körtesen. The surnames of the same origin include Court, Courteau, Cortes, Cortez, Cortezon, Cortosa, Courtois, and Courtoise.

The origins of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to be of Germanic origin. In Old German, Körtje roughly translates to “short one” or “curt,” because Körtje was often used as a nickname for people of short stature. It can also mean “court” or “judgement”, a word derived from the Latin word curia. This would indicate the possible origins of the name as a person who was involved in government or the judicial system.

The surname can be found in the Netherlands and Flanders, two regions of Belgium, and in the countries of Germany and Switzerland. In these countries, Körtje and its variants are quite common. Despite its popularity in those areas, its usage has decreased steadily in more recent generations.

The most prominent person to carry the surname Körtje is the Dutch linguist Hans Körtje, who published several books and articles about the history and development of the Dutch language. It is likely that due to his influence, the name is still known in the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Körtje

• Jan-Hein Körtje: An ex Dutch professional football goalkeeper
• Cor Körtje: Former Dutch professional road bicycle racer
• Atilla Körtje: Dutch actor and film producer
• Roger Körtje: Dutch entrepreneur and occasional political commentator
• Alain Körtje: French former football player
• Marian Körtje: Dutch rhythmic gymnast
• Freya Körtje: Dutch fashion designer
• Mike Körtje: Dutch sport journalist and commentator
• Bas Körtje: Dutch professional tennis player
• Paul Körtje: Dutch historian and nonfiction writer

Other surnames

Kortjohann