Surname von Goetz - Meaning and Origin

von Goetz: What does the surname von Goetz mean?

The surname "von Goetz" is an aristocratic German last name which originated in Central Europe. This surname is derived from the Middle High German Goce which means god. The word von which comes before the familial name indicates nobility and was typically used by the upper classes.

When surnames first became popular in Germany in the 16th century, the use of von with a name was generally reserved for people of a higher class. Those who used a von prefix typically had some royal relation or had been granted the title of nobility through distinguished service or long-time loyalty to the state or monarch. It would also be used for those whose families had strawberry leaves, called Herzogsadel, as part of their coat of arms, signifying they were of the upper classes.

The meaning of the von Goetz surname is similar to many other German last names that include the von prefix in that it likely indicates its associated family originally belonged to the nobility. While von Goetz may mean god, the name most likely refers to a family line who was awarded the title of nobility due to military service, political achievement or other developments. This could have been from any time during the medieval period up to the 19th century which is when most von titles were given out by the German state.

von Goetz: Where does the name von Goetz come from?

The surname von Goetz is typically associated with German and Austrian families. In modern times, the last name von Goetz is most commonly found in Germany. It ranks as the 5159th most common name in the country, making up 0.0002% of the population with an estimated 1,845 people with the surname living in Germany. It is also quite popular in Austria, where it ranks as the 931th most common surname. In Austria, it makes up 0.0052% of the population with an estimated 5,895 people carrying the von Goetz surname. Smaller numbers of the surname can also be seen in other European countries such as Switzerland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. However, von Goetz is not particularly common outside Europe, which means it is less likely to be seen in countries such as the United States, Canada, or Australia.

Variations of the surname von Goetz

The surname von Goetz has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Van Goethem. Other variations are Von Gütz, Von Goetze, von Geutz, and von Gutz.

Von Goetz can also be found in some less common spelling variants, such as Von Goets, Von Götz, Van Geetz, Van Goetz, or Von Gotez. There are also some hyphenated versions of the name, like Von-Goetz and Van-Goetz.

For those with a familial connection to the von Goetz surname, there are many other surnames of the same origin. One of the more popular surnames is Gütz, which is the German spelling of the name. This surname can also be found as Goetze, Guntz, Gouts, and Gutzmann. Another variant of the name is Goetzen, which is also a German derivation.

Some variations of the von Goetz surname come from non-German countries and languages. In France, the name may be found as Du Goetz or Dugeot, while in Spanish it may be spelled De Goetz or DeGotez. In Italy, the name may be found as Da Goetz or De Goto.

Finally, there are some spelling variations of the name which come from anglicized versions of the name. These may include Gouts, Goots, and Goates.

In conclusion, the surname of von Goetz can be found with various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. With each country and language, there may be slight variations in the spelling of the name.

Famous people with the name von Goetz

• Hans von Goetz (1895-1941), an Austrian General in World War II.
• Johann Freiherr von Goetz (1855-1916), an Austro-Hungarian Army Officer.
• Margaret von Goetz (1871-1954), an American Artist from Ohio.
• Wilhelm Freiherr von Goetz (1851-1909), a German architect and designer.
• Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Goetz (1803-1878), a German Vice-Admiral.
• Eva von Goetz (1887-1982), a German-American artist, writer, and poet.
• Wilhelm Karl Freiherr von Goetz (1721-1788), a German lawyer and field marshal.
• Maria von Goetz (1828-1898), a German author and educator.
• Alexander Freiherr von Goetz (1796-1853), a German physician and professor.
• Helene von Goetz (1864-1938), a German painter.

Other surnames

von Goetze