Surname Gottfriedsen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gottfriedsen: What does the surname Gottfriedsen mean?
The surname Gottfriedsen is derived from the Germanic personal name "Gottfried"; Gott meaning "God" and Fried meaning "peace". It signifies "God’s peace" and was commonly used as a given name in Germany during the Middle Ages. The surname was likely adopted as a surname in the early Middle Ages when hereditary surnames became popular in Europe.
Gottfriedsen is an uncommon surname in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is mentioned in old records as “Gottfried” or “Gottfreid” in Germany, as “Godfrey” in England, and as “Gottfriedson” in the United States. This indicates that the name was already in existence in each of these main regions before being adopted as a surname.
The name Gottfriedsen carries a sense of strength and endurance, reflecting its bearer’s commitment to protect peace. In a literal sense, the name symbolises the steadiness and stability of a trusting relationship with the divine, i.e. God. The few families bearing the name Gottfriedsen today are likely proud of their Germanic roots and take the name to embody the strong values that established them.
Order DNA origin analysisGottfriedsen: Where does the name Gottfriedsen come from?
Today, the last name Gottfriedsen is most commonly found in Germany. Gottfriedsen is a patronymic surname which means it is derived from the personal name Gottfried. This surname is found primarily in the Rhineland-Palatinate region located in the western area of Germany, a place where it was established in the Middle Ages. It first began to spread in the 1700s, and can now be found in other parts of the country like Baden-Wuerttemburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria.
In addition to Germany, Gottfriedsen is also found in Northern Europe, primarily in the region known as Scandinavia. In Norway and Sweden, this last name is still quite prevalent. Another country where the name Gottfriedsen is found with reasonable frequency is the Netherlands.
Gottfriedsen can also be found in the United States. Since the beginning of the 19th century, immigrants who had the last name Gottfriedsen settled in many parts of the US, particularly in the northeast. Some of the states where Gottfriedsen is fairly common include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
Overall, the last name Gottfriedsen has a very strong presence in Germany and Northern Europe, followed by the United States. It may also be found in Australia and Canada as well, as these were popular destinations for immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the Gottfriedsen family continues to thrive and can be found in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Gottfriedsen
Gottfriedsen is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name Gottfried (similar to Johnson, which is derived from John). According to the Ellis Island Records, Gottfriedsen is a surname found mostly in Denmark, Germany, and Scandinavia.
The variant and spelling variations of Gottfriedsen include Gottfridson, Gottfritzen, Gudfriedson, Gotffredson, Gotffrit
zizen, Godfrieson, Gutfridson, Gottfridz, Gotfridson, Gottfritzen, Gottfrydson, Gotfryds, Gotfryson, Gudfridson, and Gotfridzsen.
Surnames derived from Gottfriedsen include Godfrei, Guttfreund, Gotfreed, Gotfreid, and Gottfriedt.
Gottfriedsen is a less common modern variant of both Gottschalk and Fritsen, which are also rooted in the given name Gottfried. Gottschalk is German in origin and a variant of Gotteschalk, meaning “servant of God.” Fritsen is Dutch in origin and a variant of Gritsen, meaning “peaceful ruler”.
The spelling and surnames of Gottfriedsen, Gottschalk, and Fritsen have shifted over time, based on the region in which they originated or were adopted. Additionally, Gottfriedsen, Gottschalk and Fritsen were all once patronymic surnames derived from the given name Gottfried. As such, they were also interchangeable as name variations across generations.
Famous people with the name Gottfriedsen
- Kai Gottfriedsen: German entrepreneur, founder of the publishing house Laika Verlag.
- Dieter Gottfriedsen: German philosopher and physicist. He is known for his contributions to theoretical and mathematical physics.
- Anna Gottfriedsen: Danish former professional tennis player who competed in the Women's Tennis Association
- Casper Gottfriedsen: Danish YouTuber who produces vlogs and prank videos.
- Einar Gottfriedsen: Danish author and actor who wrote the 1983 novel "De tre venner på udforskningstogt"
- Isabella Gottfriedsen: Peruvian fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- Jasmin Gottfriedsen: Danish singer-songwriter and producer with releases on labels including Universal Music Denmark.
- Margret Gottfriedsen: Danish television actress and presenter with roles in the shows "Bomstærk", "Tjejzonen" and "Elverdronningen".
- Olof Gottfriedsen: Swedish writer and filmmaker who directed the 1992 film "Föremål för passions"
- Robin Gottfriedsen: Danish actor who played the role of Hans-Ole in the popular TV series "Badehotellet" (2014-2018).