Surname Korteweg - Meaning and Origin
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Korteweg: What does the surname Korteweg mean?
The last name Korteweg is a Dutch patronymic surname derived from the personal name, Kort, meaning "short." As a patronymic surname, the last name Korteweg indicates that the original bearer of the name was the son or descendant of a man named Kort.
The last name Korteweg first appeared in the Netherlands during the 12th and 13th centuries. It quickly spread across Europe, being established in areas such asann Germany, the United Kingdom, and even in parts of the Americas.
Today, the last name Korteweg is the 17th most common name in the Netherlands and the 60th most common name in Belgium. In the Netherlands, the name is concentrated mainly in the western and eastern parts of the country.
The last name Korteweg is traditionally associated with butchers, farmers, bakers, millers, and merchants, professions that were passed down through generations with the Korteweg surname.
In modern times, while the traditional trades associated with the name may have waned in popularity, the last name Korteweg is still found in many countries, a testament to its long-standing history and widespread usage throughout Europe and further afield.
Order DNA origin analysisKorteweg: Where does the name Korteweg come from?
The last name Korteweg is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in Northern and Central parts. This is not surprising, since the surname originates from Dutch roots and appears to have been adopted in the 16th century. Early records show that the name was used for people living in the village of Korteweg, located in the Dutch province of Gelderland.
The name is still relatively common in the Netherlands today, with around 6,000 individuals carrying Korteweg as part of their surname. Similarly, families of Dutch-descent in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia also tend to carry Korteweg as part of their name.
The last name Korteweg can also be found in other countries, such as Germany, Belgium, and France. With that said, the name's prevalence there is nowhere near as widespread as it is in the Netherlands.
Overall, Korteweg is seen most commonly in the Netherlands, but there is evidence that the name is still being used in a number of other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Korteweg
Korteweg is a Dutch surname derived from the word ''kortweg'' meaning ‘short way or path’. Alternate spellings and variants of the surname include Kortwijk, Korthuis, Kortweij, Korteweeg, Kortveg and Kortwiek. It may also appear as Kortubeg or Kortubwg.
Occasionally, Kortweg can be found as a prefix to surnames such as Kortweg de Jong and Kortweg de Vries. This indicates that the family originated from Kortweg, although it is not uncommon for families of the same origin to adopt different surnames.
In the United States, the spelling of the surname may have changed when it was anglicised. Variations of Kortweg include Cortegu, Cortewe, Corteweg, Cortway and Courtway.
In the Netherlands, it is quite common to find the patronymic "-s" suffix attached to this surname. Therefore, someone with the last name of Korteweg may also be referred to as Kortewegs.
The most common variations of this surname are Kortwijk and Kortveg. It is possible to encounter Korteweg as a variant of Kortwijk and Kortveg, as a variant of Kortweg as well. It is also worth noting that the variants in the Netherlands may have been influenced by the local dialect.
Generally, Korteweg is a typical Dutch surname that has slightly altered over the years prior to its arrival in the United States. Nevertheless, it is still derived from the ancient Dutch word ''kortweg'' meaning ‘short way or path’.
Famous people with the name Korteweg
- Christiaan Korteweg: Dutch astronomer known for his research on celestial mechanics and for creating the Korteweg-de Vries equation.
- Joke Korteweg: Dutch politician and member of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
- Karl Korteweg: Dutch physicist who is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern physics.
- Johannes Korteweg: Dutch author, biographer and politician who wrote works on Dutch history and also served as Minister of Agriculture.
- Georgette Korteweg: Dutch painter known for her Impressionistic works depicting landscapes and psychedelic colors.
- Alfred Korteweg: Dutch organist, choir conductor and music teacher who composed mainly sacred works for organ and voice.
- Julius Korteweg: Dutch physicist who conducted extensive research on the physical properties of different types of crystals.
- Paul Korteweg: Dutch mathematician who is best known for his work on mathematical analysis, the Korteweg-de Vries equation, and for his work in analytical mechanics.
- Cornelis Korteweg: Dutch architect who designed the iconic Korteweg Gemeentehuis in the Hague.
- Rudolph Korteweg: Dutch cinematographer and director who is best known for his work on the feature films De voetbalschelpen ('The Football Shoes') and Rovers Island.