Surname Pötter - Meaning and Origin

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I. Pötter

Pötter: What does the surname Pötter mean?

The last name Pötter is a German occupational surname of Germanic origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word “pöter”, which is an old German term for “potter” or “maker of pottery”. The name was borne by individuals who worked with clay to create pottery, such as dishes and cups.

According to the germanic tradition, occupational names were some of the earliest last name given, as people adopted the trade or profession of their father when they grew up. All of the crafts and trades that grew up between the 10th and the 15th centuries left their mark on these early last names. Nowadays, with the disintegration of traditional factors, the diversity in German second names has authorized individuals the opportunity to choose surnames that reflect their own personality.

The surname Pötter is found mainly in the northern central region of Germany, due to the fact that many potters had settled in the area. The word is believed to have originated from the ancient Saxon language, in which “pöter” meant to shape or to form. It is an interesting name with an interesting history that has been carried through the ages in this last name.

It is also a pretty common name, being found mostly in Lower Saxony and Bavaria. While the original meaning of the surname refers to an old trade that is now obsolete, it still retains a certain power in modern times as a reminder of a traditional craftsmanship that has been passed down the generations.

Pötter: Where does the name Pötter come from?

The surname Pötter is most commonly found in areas of Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. It has many variations, including Putter, Putters, and van der Putte, and is believed to derive from the Dutch word "putten," meaning “water source.”

In Germany, Pötter is most common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. It's also been found in some of the northern regions of the Netherlands and in Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium, as well as the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland.

In Germany, the deft family of Pötters spread from Cologne and its surrounding areas in medieval times. By the 19th century, Pötter families had migrated to Schleswig-Holstein, on the Denmark-German border, as well as the North Sea coasts of the Netherlands. This surname has also been associated with the Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa – some South African Pötters trace their roots back to the Netherlands.

In addition to the areas mentioned above, Pötter families can also be found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, and various other countries where Dutch emigres have settled.

The Pötter surname is still quite common in many of these areas. Today, it is used by numerous members of the international community as a link between oneself and their Dutch ancestry from days past.

Variations of the surname Pötter

The surname Pötter is derived from the German noun Pott, which means 'a pot' or 'a bowl'. It is believed that those with the surname began as potters who crafted earthen vessels in Germany. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Pötter (German)

Potter (English)

Bottger (German)

Böttger (German)

Bätger (German)

Battger (German)

Patger (Irish)

Pattger (Irish)

Pattison (Scottish)

Pattinson (English)

Bodger (English)

Podder (Polish)

Pattrson (Irish)

Pattarison (Irish)

Böttger (German)

Böttiger (German)

Böddiger (German)

Bödiger (German)

Pöttger (German)

Pötter is a surname that differs in many cases with minor spelling variations among languages. It is an occupational surname, meaning those with it originated from potters of earthen vessels in Germany. Throughout the years, the surname has been modified and used in many different languages and countries throughout Europe. Therefore, it is no surprise to see many variants and surnames of the same origin, such as Potter, Bottger, Böttger, Bätger, Battger, Patger, Pattger, Pattison, Pattinson, Bodger, Podder, Pattrson, Pattarison, Böttger, Böttiger, Böddiger, Bödiger, and Pöttger.

Famous people with the name Pötter

• Stefan Pötter: German actor known for his appearances in films such as Wüstenblume, Meine Tochter Anne Frank and The Baader Meinhof Complex.
• Julia Pötter: German actress and screenwriter known for her appearances in films such as Chinese Box, Moritz and Der Schatz.
• Jürgen Pötter: German footballer who has played for several teams, including Rot-Weiss Essen and Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.
• Martin Pötter: German comedian and folk singer known for his appearances in films such as The Counterfeiters, Wer früher stirbt, ist länger tot and Fritz Lang's M.
• Marco Pötter: German pop-punk singer and songwriter from Kiel.
• Cecily Pötter: German actress known for her roles in films such as Einmal ist keinmal and Der Krieger und die Kaiserin.
• Karl Pötter: German fashion designer and photographer who has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Harpers Bazar and L'Officiel.
• Ernst Pötter: German academic and philosopher who founded the Freie Deutsche Forschungschule in Berlin.
• Gerhard Pötter: German aerospace engineer who has conducted research on space flight technology and advanced flight control systems.
• Karl Heinz Pötter: German musicologist and composer who wrote works influenced by the works of Gustav Mahler.

Other surnames

PottenPottersPötters