Surname Getfert - Meaning and Origin

Getfert: What does the surname Getfert mean?

The last name Getfert is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Old Germanic “Gotefrid” which can be translated as “God's Peace”. This personal name was often adopted by families and given to their children, ultimately becoming a family name. It is an occupational name for a maker of “Götterfieder”, which literally translates as “God feathers”. This is a type of ornamental plume traditionally used to adorn religious apparel, such as cassocks and chasubles. It is believed that the family likely originated from the Southern Germany area, possibly Bavaria, where the craft of creating plumes of this kind was practiced.

Throughout the centuries, the Getfert name has become more widespread around the world due to migration, marriages and other population movements. It can now be found in France, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa and many more countries.

The Getfert family has produced many notable figures throughout history, including Wilhelm Getfert, who served as Germany’s Minister of war from 1916 to 1918 during the World War I. It also includes Johan Getfert, botanist and professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Amsterdam and Johannes Getfert, a prominent Dutch theologian.

The Getfert last name remains a living testament to a bygone era of craftsmanship and faith. Over the years, the Getfert family have gone on to have a large and successful Diaspora around the world, achieving many extraordinary things in the fields of science, politicy and religion.

Getfert: Where does the name Getfert come from?

The surname Getfert is predominantly found in the Netherlands, particularly the east and south-east of the country. The highest concentration of the name is around the cities of Zwolle and Enschede in Overijssel. It is also common around Twente, which was historically a part of the old region of Overijssel.

The name is less commonly found in the West of the Netherlands, and is almost nonexistent in the northern provinces. However, it is still fairly common in Germany and is found in some smaller numbers in the US.

The history of the surname is unclear. It could be derived from one of two German words, either ‘get’ meaning ‘twig’ or ‘fert’ meaning ‘wood’. Alternatively, it could be of Dutch origin and could refer to a profession such as ‘goede vinder’ meaning ‘good finder’ or ‘vakman’ meaning ‘craftsman’.

Given the lack of clarity surrounding the origin of the name, it is impossible to accurately trace its current prevalence around the globe. However, it is clear that it is most common in the Netherlands, particularly in the east and south-east of the country.

Variations of the surname Getfert

The surname Getfert is a German name that has been in existence since the early 19th century and has several variants and spellings depending on the region. In the Netherlands, the surname is also known as Gettfert and in Germany, it is sometimes also written as Getfrit, Getferd, Gettfrid and Getfridt. Another common variant of the name is Getfried.

Most of these variants originate from early German records of the name which were standardized in Germany and the Netherlands in the 19th century. In some cases, this standardization caused a slight change in the spelling. For example, the name Gettfridt may now be more commonly found as Getfridt.

The Getfert surname can be further divided in different spellings like Gettfert, Gettfrid, Getfrid, Getfried, Getfridt. Additionally, some families shortened their last name to become Getf or Gettf.

The variations of the Getfert surname have become further diversified due to migration and resettlement of the family. A few other surnames linked to Getfert include Getter, Getters, Geffert, Giffert, Griffert, Gifferts and Jewish variants like Gelfert and Gotfrid.

Overall, the surname Getfert has several derivatives and spellings, some of which are more common than others. However, they all stem from the same family.

Famous people with the name Getfert

• Gerrit Getfert: A Dutch footballer who played professionally in the 1940s for SC Enschede and Haarlem.
• M. Derck Getfert: A Dutch Dutch architect and author of 'Craigleith Historic Design Study' (1905).
• Beate Getfert: A German actress active from 1988 to 2008.
• Jelte Getfert: Dutch track and field athlete who competed in the 1932 Olympics.
• John Getfert: Canadian runner who was a two-time national champion in the steeplechase.
• William Getfert: Canadian politician and former Speaker of the Manitoba legislature.
• Jan Getfert: Dutch writer, director and artistic director of several plays in the 1970s and 80s.
• Annelies Getfert: Dutch painter and sculptor working in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• Willem Getfert: Belgian interior designer and self-taught painter well known for his use of colour.
• Steven Getfert: Dutch footballer who played professionally in the late 20th century for Fortuna Sittard and NAC Breda.

Other surnames

Getferdt