Surname Püttjer - Meaning and Origin
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Püttjer: What does the surname Püttjer mean?
The last name Püttjer is a Low German variant of the name Putjer, which is of Dutch origin. It is thought to have derived from the terms “putten” or “potten” meaning “to put” or “to pot”, and refers to the occupation of the original bearer of the name, believed to be a potter.
The suffix -jer in the name, which is also found in many other Dutch and Low German surnames, indicates a patronymic form, indicating that the original bearer of the name was the son of someone called Putte or Pott. The name is widely found in northern Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony, where it is most commonly spelled as Püttjer.
The earliest recorded forms of the name found in German archives date back to the 16th century and include names such as Putjere and Pöttjer. The name was also used by Mennonite settlers in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, who sometimes anglicised it as Puttoe.
In the core meaning of the name’s origin, to “put” or “pot”, Putjer and its variants represent the idea of creating something of beauty and usefulness in the real world. This is carried forward in the history of the name’s bearers in terms of occupations and accomplishments, such as potter, painter, pewterer, blacksmith and even mathematician and historian.
Order DNA origin analysisPüttjer: Where does the name Püttjer come from?
The last name Püttjer is most commonly found in Germany today. It originates in northwestern Germany, mostly in the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia. German emigration in the mid nineteenth century spread the name to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it is still borne today.
The name Püttjer is derived from the Old Low German word "püttjer," which means "embankment builder." During the Middle Ages, many Germans took up this profession of building earthen embankments to protect their villages from flooding. Those who adopted this profession likely adopted the name Püttjer as their own.
The earliest known records of the name Püttjer date from the sixteenth century in the small town of Papenburg in Lower Saxony. So fewer records of the name exist fewer than 200 years ago, suggesting that it used to be more common in the region than it is today.
The current distribution of the name Püttjer indicates that it is most common in northwestern Germany. In 2006, research indicated that it was the 2,073rd most common last name in Germany overall, though its percentage of the population was much higher in some regions. Further research indicated that approximately 0.002% of the German population has the last name Püttjer.
Outside of Germany, Püttjer is still quite rare. In the U.S., it ranked 23,452nd in terms of frequency in 2020. That same year, it was the 17,632nd most common name in Canada.
Thus, while the last name Püttjer is not especially common today, it is still borne by many and mainly found in Germany, with additional instances in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Püttjer
The surname Püttjer is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “putzier”, meaning “one who works in a bakery”. It is commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Variants and alternate spellings of the name include Pützer, Putzer, Puetz, Putzke, Puttke, Putz, and Putzker.
Surnames of similar etymologies and national origins include Putman, Putnam, Puttman, and Plettman, all derived from Middle High German. The spelling Putmann is found primarily in Germany, while Putnam and Puttman are commonly found in the United States.
Other surnames from Germany that are similar in meaning include Bäcker (“baker”), Konditor (“confectioner”), and Müller (“miller”). Additionally, surnames such as Bäckemeier (“baker master”) and Küchenmeister (“kitchen master”) are found in Germany.
Although the Püttjer surname is not common, it is an important example of how surname spellings and variations evolve over time due to migration and linguistic changes. It is a testament to the strength of the German language to sustain such diverse and interesting spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Püttjer
- Jens Püttjer: German media artist and computer scientist.
- Ingo Püttjer: German professional football player.
- Hans-Jürgen Püttjer: German former international basketball player.
- Kristina Püttjer: German Olympic speed skater and rowing gold medalist.
- Markus Püttjer: German entrepreneur and investor.
- Thorsten Püttjer: German professional ice hockey player.
- Hugo Püttjer: German author and past president of the German PEN Club.
- Erka Püttjer: Danish former professional footballer.
- Oliver Püttjer: German professional baseball player.
- Wilhelm Püttjer: German businessman and entrepreneur.