Surname Getzlaff - Meaning and Origin
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Getzlaff: What does the surname Getzlaff mean?
The last name Getzlaff is of German origin and is derived from the old German occupational name Getzler, which refers to a tailor or clothier. This name was borne by several medieval German tailors and may have originated with their trade. It is also thought to be derived from the German word “getzeln” which means “to prattle” or “to gossip.”
In the early records of Germany, the Getzlaff surname is associated with the old Germanic tribe of the Saxons. It is believed that the earliest recorded individual to bear the Getzlaff surname was Bertram Getzler, recorded in the Middle Ages in Schleswig-Holstein in the year 1169. In modern times, the Getzlaff surname remains quite common throughout Germany, and is also found in many parts of other countries including the United States and Canada.
The Getzlaff surname is associated with several notable influences, including Jakob Getzler Jr. (1842–1918), a German-Jewish politician, and Edwin Getzlaff (1909–1992), a German oceanographer and marine biologist who focused on the physical geography of the Indian Ocean.
The Getzlaff surname is a reminder of the heritage, perseverance, and accomplishments of those who bore it. Once a name associated with the medieval clothier, it is now linked with numerous notable figures, and its history is an important part of Germanic culture.
Order DNA origin analysisGetzlaff: Where does the name Getzlaff come from?
The last name Getzlaff is most commonly found in Germany, where it is a relatively well-known surname. In recent years, the prevalence of its usage has declined slightly, with the most recent estimate of its prevalence within the country estimated at around 0.039%. Other countries in which the surname can also be found include the United States, Canada, and Australia, although in all of these countries it is considerably less common than its prevalence in Germany.
Due to its German roots, it is likely that people of Germanic descent have the highest chance of having this surname. This is due in part to the fact that Germany is considered to be ancestral homeland of many German-speaking communities which have since spread around the world. As such, many people with a German background tend to have some form of German-based surname. Getzlaff is no exception to this, and its presence in other countries can be attributed to this historic migration pattern, with many German immigrants taking their traditional surnames with them wherever they settle.
Given its comparative rarity outside of Germany, it is likely that Getzlaff families descended from those who first migrated out of the country continue to spread the surname around the world. As such, it is likely that Getzlaff is most common in those countries or regions with a particularly high concentration of people with a German background.
Variations of the surname Getzlaff
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Getzlaff originates from German language and it is derived from the Middle High German personal name Gatzlaff, which was basically derived from Gatz 'goose' and Laff 'laugh'.
Variants of Getzlaff include:
Gatzelaf, Gatesloff, Gateslo, Gateslaff, Gatstlaff, Gattzlaff, Gahtzelaff, Gattzlof, Gettzlaff, Gettzloff, Gittzlaff, Gittzloff, etc.
Spellings of Getzlaff include:
Setzlaff, Satzlaff, Gatzelaff, Gatzlaff, Gatzlaaf, Gattzlaff, Getzlaf, Getzlaff, Getzlaaf, Getzelef, Gateslaaf, Gatesloaf, Gattslaff, Gittzlaaf, Gittslef, Gitzloff, Gitzlaf, Gittzloff, Gittzlaf, etc.
Surnames of Getzlaff include:
Gates, Gattel, Gatzel, Geizer, Geisal, Gisel, Gissel, Gatzelau, Gatzelauf, Gatzalof, Gatzlaaf, Gatichel, Gattelof, Gattelauf, Gartzlef, Gettzelauf, Gettzel, Gitslef, Gittlef, Gittslef, Gildel, Gilzelof, Gildelof, Gildelauf, Gildelau, Gitzlef, Gitzlof, Gitzlauf, Gatzlauf, Geitel, Geitzel, Geizel, Gezelauf, etc.
There are several other variants, spellings, and surnames of the Getzlaff origin, each with its own set of variations. The surname is also found various countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United States, Canada, and elsewhere.
Famous people with the name Getzlaff
- Luke Getzlaff: an actor, known for Transparent (2014) and How to Get Away with Murder (2014).
- Florence Getzlaff: an actress, known for The Gettysburg Story (2020), and Inconvenient Truth (2009).
- Walter Getzlaff: a composer and Grammy-nominated pianist, known for his works such as “Symphonies for Piano” and “Symphony no. 4”.
- Justin Getzlaff: an actor, known for his work in NCIS (2003) and Law & Order (1990).
- Carla Getzlaff: a former member of the German Youth Parliament and current advocate for refugees’ rights.
- Alfred Getzlaff: a physicist at Imperial College London, author of the book “Quantum Mechanics and Time Dependence”.
- Aaron Getzlaff: the Chief Executive Officer of the GE Aviation & Power Electric Vehicles division, responsible for expanding the company’s presence in the clean energy sector.
- Jamie Getzlaff: a professional cyclist and Olympic medalist, having won gold medals in the road race and time trials.
- Fabio Getzlaff: an international banker and venture capital investor, currently serving as the CEO of Getzlaff Capital International.
- Marco Getzlaff: an entrepreneur and philanthropist, awarded the Global Corporate Social Responsibility Award for his work in promoting sustainability and clean energy in Africa.