Surname Götten - Meaning and Origin
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Götten: What does the surname Götten mean?
The last name Götten is a German surname originating from the Rhineland region of Germany. The name likely originated in the Middle Ages and is derived from the Old German personal name Gottewin, which is a combination of the words Gott, meaning “God,” and win, meaning “friend.”
In earlier records, this name was spelled in various ways, most commonly Gotwin or Gotewin, but other forms included Gotevein and Godwin. When descendants of the original Göttens moved to other areas of Germany, the spelling Götten started to become more widespread as the standard spelling of this name.
The last name Götten may be seen in the Rhine region today, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen. People with this name can also be found all across southern Germany, in places like Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony. The name Götten can also be found in other residences outside of Germany, including the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
Typically, the surname Götten is anglicized as "Gotts" or "Gottes." This name can also be found in the compound form, such as Göttemann, which is composed of “Gott” and “mann,” meaning “man.”
At its roots, the last name Götten is a symbol of divine connection and friendship. People with this last name today may appreciate the power of friendship and strive to cultivate meaningful relationships.
Order DNA origin analysisGötten: Where does the name Götten come from?
The last name Götten is a German-origin surname. It is most common in Germany and other German-speaking countries. According to a recent study, it ranks among the most common surnames in Germany, with 42,848 people having the last name. The name is particularly frequent in the states of Bayern, Baden-Württemberg, Niedersachsen, and Nordrhein-Westfalen.
In addition to Germany, Götten is also common in Austria and Switzerland. There are also some Dutch people with the last name Götten, as well as members of the Jewish diaspora with roots in Germany and other countries near Germany.
Most commonly, the name is pronounced “guh-TEN”. It is believed to originate from the word “Götter”, which means “gods” in German. This is perhaps an indication that Götten was first used as a last name to indicate that a person was the descendant of gods.
Additionally, Götten is also occasionally encountered in the United States, often with individuals who have German roots. It is a fairly uncommon name in the United States and is especially rare outside of German-American enclaves, such as Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the past, it was more common; however, usage of the name has grown less frequent as German immigration to the United States has declined over time.
Variations of the surname Götten
The surnames Götten (sometimes spelled Göttingen) and Goettingen are both derived from the city of Göttingen, being the first element in German place-names that mean “home of Got”. It is thought that the city was named for a legendary figure named “Got”, and the names Götten and Goettingen are derived from this etymology.
Variant spellings for Götten and Goettingen include Gotten, Gøtten, Gottinge, Gotteling, Gettelings, Gotels, Göter and Gödel. Many of these variants are seen among other Germanic countries or regions, such as Denmark and Austria.
The surname Götten may also have other related surnames. Among these are Göting, Gütten, Gottenberg, Gutting, Goutling, Goutenberg, and Götters. All of these surnames are derived from the same root as Götten and may even be considered alternate spellings.
The surname Götten is not especially common in the United States, though it is seen primarily among those of German descent. The variants and spellings listed above may also be seen among German Americans, likely depending on the individual family’s origin and history.
Famous people with the name Götten
- Thorsten Gottschalk: German actor and composer
- Christian Götten: German actor
- Johann Gottschalk: German Biblical scholar
- Jan Goetten: Dutch politician
- Erwin Gottschalk: German theologian
- Christian Gottschalk: German mathematician
- Max Gottschalk: German classical pianist
- Jürgen Gottschalk: German footballer
- Heiko Götten: German football referee
- Victor Gottschalk: Dutch rower
- Paul Gottschalk: German-born Australian businessman
- Paul Goetten: German university professor
- Michael Götten: German footballer
- Steffen Götten: German basketball player
- Christopher Götten: German actor and director
- Christiane Götten: German actress
- Monika Götten: German Politician
- Andreas Götten: German music composer
- Marie-Theres Gottschalk: German academic professor
- Maria Götten: German singer and songwriter