Surname Getferdt - Meaning and Origin

Getferdt: What does the surname Getferdt mean?

The German surname Getferdt is derived from the Middle High German word "getuon," meaning to fulfill an obligation. This surname is likely derived from the Old German verb "getfen," which also denotes fulfilling an obligation. The common reference to this obligation typically involves the lineage of a particular family known as a "stamhuis" (lineage house). This refers to clan-like groups of families, in which each individual held the obligation to provide certain behaviors towards their kinfolk, and those with the surname Getferdt likely descended from one such family.

The surname Getferdt is most commonly found among those with Germanic heritage, and records from the 15th century show that multiple families with this surname resided in the area of Hesse, Germany. Throughout the centuries, the surname Getferdt has spread widely throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries. It is also commonly found in North and South America, where individuals with Germanic ancestry have settled since the 18th century.

The meaning of the surname Getferdt directly reflects the commitment of a collective group of individuals to uphold certain obligations to the extended family. This sense of commitment toward lineage and kinfolk is a legacy that those who bear this surname carry as a reminder of their personal and familial ties.

Getferdt: Where does the name Getferdt come from?

The last name Getferdt is most commonly found in Germany. It is found mainly in the north, around the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, and Munich. The last name is also common in Austria, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the surname Getferdt is less common. It is found mainly in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. The Getferdt name is believed to have derived from the German word "Göteferdt," which means “God's village."

In addition to its presence in Germany, the Getferdt surname is relatively common in other parts of Europe, especially Scandinavia and the Netherlands. In Scandinavia, the surname is reported to have derived from the Norwegian given name "Grivolt," which is composed of elements meaning “wild" and "rule." Among Dutch families, the Getferdt name is believed to have come from a personal name, “Gertfrid," composed of elements meaning “fierce" and "peace."

In the United States, the Getferdt surname is most commonly found in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. This suggests that the name began with German immigrants who settled in this part of the country. Today, Getferdts in the United States can trace their roots back to these original immigrants.

In Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, and the U.S., the Getferdt surname is not in the top 1,000 list of most common family names. However, it is still relatively common in these parts of the world, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

Variations of the surname Getferdt

The surname Getferdt, which is of German origin, has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of Getferdt include Gefert, Giffert, Geferdt, and Geferts.

Other spellings of Getferdt include Gefertz, Giffertz, Giffardt, Gefardt, and Giffard.

Surnames of the same origin as Getferdt include Gebert, Gefert, Geffert, Giffard, Giffert, Gifford, Jeford, Jiford, Gieffers, Gieffersdorf, Gieffert, Giefferth, Giefferthorf, Geiffers, Geiffersdorf, Geiffert, and Geiffertshofen.

Getferdt itself may be derived from the Germanic word "Giffo", which meant “gift”, and the Old High German word "hart", which means “strong”. Combined, these two words may refer to someone who is “strong of gift”.

The Getferdt surname can also be an Anglicized form of the German surname Gefert. It is likely that the Getferdt surname originated from an occupational name, as Gefert is derived from the Middle High German term “gefere”, which translates to “carrier, actor”. As such, the Getferdt surname may have been used to denote someone who was involved in transport and shipping.

Furthermore, Getferdt may also be an Anglicization of the spellings Giffard and Gifford. Giffard and Gifford are both derived from the Old English and Anglo-Norman French names "Gyffard" and “Giffard”, both of which mean “brave, finer Peter”. Therefore, the Getferdt surname could have been originally assigned to a family in power or of noble social standing.

Famous people with the name Getferdt

• Craig Getferdt: Former American rower who was a member of the United States National Rowing Team and a World Champion in the sport.
• Naomi Getferdt: British actress best known for her role as Dr. Beverly Sutton in the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small (1978).
• Martha Getferdt: German artist who was a part of the Berlin Dada movement in the early 20th century.
• Jan Getferdt: Dutch footballer who has played for several clubs in the Netherlands as well as in Belgium.
• Patrick Getferdt: American cinematographer who has worked on a number of popular films like The Purge: Anarchy (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1 (2014).
• Michael Getferdt: German weightlifter and Olympic bronze medalist who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
• William Getferdt: Canadian actor and playwright who wrote the historical drama Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Stageplay in 1972.
• Jean-Paul Getferdt: French composer and organist who has contributed music for film productions such as John Boorman's Zardoz (1974).
• Desmond Getferdt: English actor best known for appearing in the films Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988).
• Alfred Getferdt: Austrian architect who was instrumental in the development of the Art Deco style in Vienna in the early 20th century.

Other surnames

Getfert