Surname Goettfried - Meaning and Origin
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Goettfried: What does the surname Goettfried mean?
Goettfried or Göttfried is a German-language surname rich in historic and geographical variety. The name means “God’s friend” or “friend of God” and is usually traced back to a folk surname used to describe somebody devoted to God or to a momentous religious figure. It could also be derived from an old German word used to describe a person of independent means—usually a craftsman or laborer—who was essentially an independent contractor.
The name Goettfried appears in records of various countries and languages such as Austria, Prussia, Hungary, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Switzerland, and South America. The Goettfrieds of Prussia and Hungary often adopted the name because of their German heritage, while the Goettfrieds of Belarus and Ukraine were typically of Slavic extraction.
The name Goettfried has been a part of German history for centuries. It has been found in various parts of Europe, from Prussia and Hungary to Belarus and Ukraine, honoring both folk and religious origins. For the last few centuries, this name has been most common in central Europe, the Balkan Peninsula, and South America. However, it is now being recognized around the world and is becoming increasingly more popular.
Order DNA origin analysisGoettfried: Where does the name Goettfried come from?
The last name Goettfried is most common today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also seen in some other countries in Europe such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as in the United States.
Goettfried is an occupational surname, first appearing in the 14th century. It is derived from the German word "Götfried" meaning "God's peace." The earliest record of this surname in Europe was in 1279 when a man by the name of Friederich Götfried was a free man in the small city of Greifswald, Germany.
In the United States, Goettfried mainly immigrants from Germany and Austria during the mid-1800s who bore this surname, settling in large urban centers such as Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and New York City.
In the modern era, the last name Goettfried continues to be seen in many parts of the world, though most prevalent in its native Germany and its neighboring countries. This surname is also relatively popular in the United States and found primarily in areas where immigrants of German descent have settled.
Variations of the surname Goettfried
The surname Goettfried has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Gotfried, Goetfried, Godfried, Gottfried, Godefroi, Gotfrid, Gotfroy, Gottfrid, Goetfriid, Gottfroi, Godefried, Godfried and Gottfreid.
The German spelling of the name is Gottfried or Gotfried, derived from “God” plus “friend” or “peace.” It originally referred to a “friend of God” or a “servant of God.” The corresponding Dutch and Flemish spelling is Godfried or Gotfried. The French variant is Godefroy (or Godefroi and Godefried) and the Scandinavian form is Gotfrid (or Gottfrid and Gottfrids).
A few alternate spellings originated from the Latin “Godfridus,” such as Goetfried and Goetfriid. The Irish version is Goitfrid, deriving from the Gaelic “Goitfraidh.”
The distinctive surname is incredibly widespread, found in countries around the world including Germany, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the United States.
Ultimately, the many variants, spellings, and surnames of Goettfried all have the same origin. They are derived from “God” and “friend” or “peace,” sometimes linked with other given names, and germinated with various spellings in numerous countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Goettfried
- Lewis Goettfried: an American neurologist and a pioneer in treating patients with occlusive vascular diseases such as carotid artery and aneurysms.
- Robert Goettfried: an American-born filmmaker and record producer who created documentaries, music videos and marketing videos for video games.
- Anton Goettfried: an American surgeon and a leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors.
- Steven Goettfried: an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and venture capitalist.
- Victor Goettfried: an American lawyer and author who focuses on innovative legal approaches to dropout prevention, systemic reform, and effective schooling policy.
- Sybil Goettfried: an American writer, editor, and literary agent who was active during the 1940s and 1950s.
- Gregory Goettfried: an Americanoncologist and biochemical geneticist who has published widely on the genetics of cancer and its treatment.
- Douglas Goettfried: an American minister and the longtime chaplain of the New York Stock Exchange.
- Thomas Goettfried: an American program manager and consultant who specializes in the energy industry.
- Anna Goettfried: an American doctor, author, and podcaster who focuses on women's health issues, especially in adolescents and young adults.