Surname Lüthge - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lüthge: What does the surname Lüthge mean?
The last name Lüthge is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Lütger, an old German name composed of the elements liut (people) and gar (spear). It is believed to have first appeared in the 1200s, when the use of family names became common among German-speaking people. The name was used to denote someone from the area surrounding the town of Lüthge in Schleswig-Holstein. The first known bearer of the name was Werner Lüthge, recorded as having held property in the area in 1411.
Over time, use of the name gradually spread across Germany, with families settling in various regions and taking the name with them. Today, Lüthge is a common surname in Germany, with its incidence ranking among the 500 most popular names in the country. It can also be found in other countries throughout Europe and beyond, a reflection of the immigration of German-speaking people over the past few centuries.
The meaning of Lüthge relates to power and community, with the combination of liut and gar perhaps signifying someone who was part of a strong and powerful people or clan. The name could also refer to someone who was associated with a district or region, as would have been the case with the medieval bearers of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLüthge: Where does the name Lüthge come from?
The last name Lüthge is most common in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a relatively rare surname with just over 800 individuals bearing the last name living in Germany as of 2020. In Austria, the last name is most common in the states of Styria and Lower Austria while in Switzerland it is most commonly found in the cantons of Aargau, Bern, Schwyz, and Zurich. The name is also found in the Czech Republic and Hungary as well as a small number of individuals in other countries around the world.
The origins of this uncommon last name are believed to be German, specifically coming from a region in eastern Germany known as Prussia. The name likely derives from the German word and surname Luthe meaning "wolf" or "forest" and was originally used as a nickname for an individual who was particularly wild or brave. It is thought to date back to as early as the 14th century when the first recorded mention of the surname Luthe was made during the reign of King Charles IV.
Today, the Lüthge name is still relatively rare compared to many of the more common last names in German-speaking countries. However, its presence remains, with individuals bearing the name living in numerous countries throughout Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Lüthge
The surname Lüthge has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common variants are Luthge, Luthege, Lutge, Luethege, Lütge, Lüthege, Luthgge, and Luethge. Luthge is the most commonly used variant, while Luthege is the most likely a misspelling.
The surname has its origins from Northern German and Dutch regions and is derived from the Old High German name such as 'ludhg', which also means 'praise' or 'glorify'. It was a common moniker among the people from the region and was passed down through generations.
The surname is now found mainly in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
In some cases, there are also slight differences in spelling when making a transition to various countries and cultures. It is common to see the spelling Luetge in the United States, while in Australia it is often seen as Lütge.
The surname is also found in various spellings throughout Europe. In France, for example, the spelling Lythge is commonly seen, while in Croatia it is often seen as Lütge.
Related surnames of Lüthge include Ludeke, Leduke, Luedke, Lutje, Lutjehusen, Lütje, Lütjen, Lüttge, Lüttig, Lüttke, and Lüttken. Each of these surnames may share some commonality to Lüthge either in spelling, pronunciation, or origin.
Famous people with the name Lüthge
- Ingo Lüthge, German Author
- Peter Lüthge, footballer from German SV Wiesbaden
- Normann Lüthge, German footballer
- Arnold Lüthge, German Equestrian athlete
- Rob Lüthge, German football manager
- Christian Lüthge, German Composer
- Wolf-Dieter Lüthge, German professional football referee
- Wilhelm Lüthge, German theological librarian
- Mathias Lüthge, German film director
- Arnold Lüthge, German actor
- Christian Lüthge, German Politician
- Karl-Heinz Lüthge, German professional football player
- Martin Lüthge, German Saxophonist
- Heiko Lüthge, German professional football player
- Ralf Lüthge, German professional football player
- Peter Lüthge, German Farmer
- Adolf Lüthge, German Folklorist
- Wolfram Lüthge, German mathematician
- Heinz Lüthge, German racecar driver
- Gerhard Lüthge, German Camera technician