Surname Kordes - Meaning and Origin

Kordes: What does the surname Kordes mean?

The last name Kordes is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German "kort" meaning "short." The root word of Kordes is also found in the Old English word "kort," meaning "rude, harsh." In some cases, the surname can be derived from the name of a town near the Rhine River in Westphalia, which is now referred to as Körde.

Over the centuries, the Kordes surname has been found in several areas of Germany, specifically in the regions of Prussia, Bavaria, and the Rhineland. It is believed to have been adopted by those who migrated from the area around the town of Körde.

In the 19th century, a large influx of German immigrants to the US brought the Kordes surname to America. Its popularity has grown since then, and is now one of the most commonly found German surnames in the US.

The Kordes name is typically associated with various trades, including cabinetmakers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, and farmers. Those with the Kordes name are said to be independent, yet helpful, with a strong desire to better their lives. They are often known to exhibit creative and outgoing traits, while on the other side of the spectrum, they can also be known to be quiet and reserved when dealing with unfamiliar situations.

Kordes: Where does the name Kordes come from?

The last name Kordes is quite common in Germany. It is most commonly found in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is believed to have originated. It is also found in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and some parts of the United States.

Kordes is an old German name, derived from the Old High German word "Kord", meaning "knot". It is likely that the name originated from people who lived in the area near the Rhine River, or in an area where boat-making was a significant trade.

The surname is most prominent in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, with a concentration around the cities of Cologne, Dusseldorf, Duisburg, and Dortmund. Additionally, it is prevalent in the nearby Netherlands, where many emigrated to from Germany in the 19th century.

In the United States, the surname is popular in Northeast Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa, with many of the immigrants coming from Germany in the latter half of the 19th century. The highest concentration is in the city of Cleveland, OH, where many with the Kordes surname still live today.

While the surname is primarily found in the regions listed above, some families have spread to other parts of the world due to emigration. Canada, for example, has a sizeable population of those with the last name Kordes, and there are scattered cases in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Kordes

The surname Kordes has variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin derived from northern Europe, specifically from the Germanic countries. The surnames Kordes, Kordas, Cordas, Kordasová, Kordell, Kordel, Kordellová, Kördes, Kördell, and Kördel are all variants and/or spellings of the German surname Kordes. Other German surnames of the same origin include Kordmeier, Korder, Kordes, Körner, Körnerová, Körnerová, Körsten, Korson, Korter, and Kortes.

In some cases, including Kördes, Kördell, and Kördel, the letter ö was added as an umlaut, which is a diacritical mark used to indicate a change in sound. Similarly, the surnames Cordas and Cordasová are Slavic and/or Czech variants and spellings of the German surname Kordes.

The Kordes surname is typically found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, as these countries have a shared history and language. In fact, the surname Kordes is thought to have originated in Bavaria and is derived from the German word “kord,” which means “ropemaker” or “rope weaver.” This suggests that the name may have referred to a profession back in the Middle Ages, possibly a rope making trade. Thus, the surnames Kordes, Cordas, and the variants and spellings of these surnames carry a piece of Germany’s history and culture.

Famous people with the name Kordes

• Stephen Kordes, American diplomat
• W. Dale Kordes, American football player
• Liane Kordes, German actress
• Reinhold Kordes, German composer
• Chris Kordes, American rower
• Collin Kordes, American Cartoonist
• Deb Kordes, American Politician
• Steve Kordes, American Television Director
• Margo Kordes, American Actress
• Wendy Kordes, American Artist

Other surnames

Kordewener