Surname Pöthig - Meaning and Origin

Pöthig: What does the surname Pöthig mean?

The last name Pöthig is derived from the German words “pöttig” or “Pfeff” which mean fruit or pepper. Generally, this last name was likely given to those who either made or traded fruit or peppers, perhaps those who prepared preserves or pickled fruits and vegetables or made fruit drinks such as cordials or liqueurs. It also could have been given to those who cultivated and sold freshly picked fruits or peppers.

In general, the history of many last names is often difficult to trace due to the very fact that many of them were based on the occupation or physical characteristics of individuals or families who originally carried the name. This is likely the case for the heritage of the Pöthig surname.

However, research may show that Pöthig originated among those who lived in the area of Old Bavaria, a region in the south of Germany that includes its capital Munich. It may also have come from the Old Franconian Empire or from the area of Westphalia further to the north.

The Pöthig surname is still found in some regions of Germany where it likely first originated from, although it is scattered across the country and is no longer a common last name. Nonetheless, the people who still bear the Pöthig name today likely continue to hold the same ancestral motivations of their Germanic origins: tenacity, pride, loyalty, and the ability to endure.

Pöthig: Where does the name Pöthig come from?

The last name Pöthig is today most commonly found throughout Germany. Specifically, the surnames popularity has been concentrated in the two German states of Bavaria and Saxony. According to a recent study, Pöthig is the 4,391st most common last name in Germany.

The origination of Pöthig is believed to be German. It is derived from the ancient term "pot," meaning "potter" or "apprentice smith." Consequently, the surname was likely initially attributed to someone who worked as a potter or blacksmith in German-speaking regions.

It is possible that Pöthig is a variant of Pötzig, another German surname derived from the term "potzi" which can mean either "small pot" or "small tree." This name is thought to originate from the interplay between small children playing with pots in places such as schoolyards and meadows. It is today most commonly found within the two German states of Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt.

Considering the similar origin of both surnames, it is possible that at some point in history, Pöthig and Pötzig were simply variations of the same surname. Over the years, both surnames have spread widely to other regions in Germany. Today, Pöthig remains a common surname throughout the country.

Variations of the surname Pöthig

Pöthig is a German surname of locative origin, which means "of Pöthig". The name originated from a settlement in the district of Zwickau, in the state of Saxony. Variants and spellings of the surname include Potig, Pothig, Pothigk, Poetig, Poetigk, and Patig.

The earliest recorded form of the surname is found in 1290, when a certain Albertus de Pöthig was noted as being a citizen in Zwickau. The name was also documented a few years later, when a Johannes de Pötic was listed in the city records in 1319. Around the same time, another variation of the same name, Johannes de Pothik, appeared in records from 1319.

In the 17th century, the spelling Patig emerged and quickly spread throughout Europe. By the 19th century, the variants Potig, Pothig, and Poetig were popular in the counties of Prussia, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg.

Over the following centuries, many families emigrated throughout Europe and North America, leading to additional variations of the surname Pöthig such as Poethig, Potthig, Poethigk, and Poetthig. Many of these families changed the spelling of their surname when they arrived in a foreign country, and in some cases, the original spelling was completely lost.

Today, the various forms of this surname are found throughout many parts of the world. However, in many places, the most common spelling remains Pöthig.

Famous people with the name Pöthig

• Alexandra Pöthig: German TV-actress
• Brazil Pöthig: German athlete
• Bernhard Pöthig: German caving expert
• Ulrike Pöthig: German writer and painting artist
• Marc Pöthig: German singer
• Ulrich Pöthig: German football player
• Carsten Pöthig: German singer
• Karoline Pöthig: German radio presenter
• Tim Pöthig: German actor
• Jürgen Pöthig: German mountaineer

Other surnames

Pothier