Surname Bothge - Meaning and Origin

Bothge: What does the surname Bothge mean?

The surname Bothge is an occupational surname of German origin, meaning “boatman”. It is derived from the Middle High German, “botge”, which was a type of small, flat-bottomed boat or scoop so it’s believed that this last name was given to those who worked as marine transportation workers in the early to mid-medieval eras.

The earliest recorded instance of this surname dates back to 1523, with the marriage of Johannes Bothge to Ursula Ostling in Lippstadt, Germany. The family name later spread to other parts of the continent, most notably into the Netherlands, where it became more common. In the Netherlands, the name evolved to “Boeg”, as these boats were commonly used to navigate the rivers and canals of the Netherlands.

Today, Bothge is still a common surname in some parts of Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. It is often associated with traditional seafaring and boatbuilding professions. Bothge is also an uncommon first name, often given to children born during the season of Advent. In fact, the popular Dutch season of “twee-Botersdag” (“bothge”) is derived from the last name. The name carries with it a strong legacy of seafaring and is a reminder of the cultures and traditions of the past.

Bothge: Where does the name Bothge come from?

The last name Bothge is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a surname of the Low German origin and was first recorded in Holstein, a region located in the northernmost part of Germany. This surname has other variants such as Bothgens, Bothgen, Bothgger, and Bothke.

The name Bothge first appears in the area of Holstein in the 17th century when the area was largely populated by farming communities. The area was home to several prominent families who took on the name Bothge as a way to mark themselves off from the rest of the community. Records show that prominent Bothges became landowners, church members, and town councillors.

The name is still present today throughout Germany. Over the years, the surname has spread to other parts of the world as immigrants made their way to other countries. According to 2018 census data, the last name Bothge is presently found in several US states, including Minnesota, New Jersey, and Montana.

In Germany, the Bothge family continues to live in the same area as in the past and is still quite common in the north. Records suggest that the family continues to hold public offices and is one of the more prominent surnames in those regions.

Variations of the surname Bothge

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bothge include: Boge, Botthege, Bothage, Bothege, Bothaige, Bothge, Botheige, Bothje, Boethege, Boetge, Boethege, Boethge, Boetheige, Boethige, Boethje, Buthege, Butheige, Botha, Bothe, Boethe, Boeth, Boethje, Botheje, Buthe and Butheje.

The surname Bothge is believed to have originated in Germany and is a diminutive of the name 'Bodo'. The name is thought to come from the old German word 'bodo', which means 'command' or 'rule'. The name is derived from the personal name 'Bodo', which is a short form of any of the many Germanic names containing the element 'bodo', meaning 'command'. This element is found in the name 'Bodin' which means 'rule'.

The surname Bothge is found in various spellings in Germany today, primarily in the regions of Saxony, Brandenburg, Bavaria, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony. It is also found in France, England, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark.

The variations of the surname such as Bothege, Bothage, Boge and Botthege signify an abbreviation or nicknames that have developed due to a difference in dialect, or hypercorrection of the name, usually to make it sound more distinguished or aristocratic. In some cases it is unclear why or how these alternate spellings and nicknames developed.

In addition to the surname Bothege, there are also numerous variants of the surname which are identified when families with the name emigrate to other countries. These variants are often derived from the language and dialect of the new country, and also from the spelling conventions of the particular language. Examples of variants include Boetge, Boethege, Boethge, Boetheige, Boethige, Boethje, Buthege, Butheige, Botha, Bothe, Boethe, Boeth, Boethje, Botheje, Buthe and Butheje.

Famous people with the name Bothge

• William Bothge: Artistic director of Kriterion Monchengladbach, Germany
• Paula Bothge: Professional photographer
• Ludwig Bothge: German theatre director
• Alex Bothge: Professional soccer player for FC Wegberg-Beeck
• Margaret Bothge: Famous German opera singer
• Paul Bothge: Groningen native and experienced comedian
• Peter Bothge: Award-winning academic and professor of English literature
• Claire Bothge: Award-winning fantasy author
• Mandy Bothge: Influential Australian professional bodybuilder
• Stephen Bothge: Professional violinist renowned for his ability to perform music from various genres

Other surnames

Böthgen