Surname Goewert - Meaning and Origin
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Goewert: What does the surname Goewert mean?
The last name Goewert is said to have Germanic or Dutch origins. It is believed to have derived from the personal name Godo which is a Germanic name meaning "gift from god" or "peace of god". In local dialects, the name was later transformed into Goewert or Goewerdt, which develop in several ways depending on the region.
As the name evolved, it could be found in different regions and with different variations. In Germany, Goewert became Gewert and in the Netherlands, it transformed into Goevert, Goebert, and other variations. It is common in the Netherlands, Germany, and other regions of Europe.
With German origins, Goewert is usually described as stemming from the Illuminati or "god of light or the gods". This is an etymological description of those who were enlightened by the god or the god's light. It may also have religious meanings that hint at devotion to the god’s teachings.
There is no single definitive meaning for the last name Goewert. However, its origin is clear. With a clear Germanic or Dutch etymology, we can infer that Goewert is likely derived from the personal name Godo, meaning "gift from god" or "peace of god". Goewert may express several different meanings depending on the region, ranging from the illuminating effects of the god to religious devotion to divine teachings.
Order DNA origin analysisGoewert: Where does the name Goewert come from?
The last name Goewert is most commonly found in Germany and its surrounding area today. It appears to have its origin in the Middle Ages, but was likely brought to its current area by German immigrants in the early 19th century. It first appears in records in the region during the 1300s, and likely appeared around the same time in other parts of Germany.
The name is particularly common in the region of Schleswig-Holstein in the far north of Germany. In this area it is the fifteenth most common surname, and is found in a similar frequency to other German last names that have been present in the area for centuries. It is also found in other parts of the country, notably in Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria.
Though the exact meaning of the name is not known, it is likely related to the German word “goewer”, which means protector or guardian. This connection would make sense, given that the surname could be traced back to the protection of belongings in the Middle Ages, when it first appears in records. This would have been an important part of life on the medieval countryside, and it is possible that the Goewert family were once the guardians of a castle or important holding. In any case, the name is still found in Germany today, particularly in the north, and it is likely to remain there for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Goewert
The surname Goewert originates from Germany and is found in records dating back to the 18th century. It is a patronymic surname derived from a given name which is thought to be derived from the Germanic name ‘Godger’ which means ‘God’s spear’.
Common variants of the surname include Goewerts, Goebert, Goebel, Goewertz, and Goehwert.
In some areas of Germany the surname is also seen as Goehring, Goehrig and Goehringer, all of which are anglicized versions of Goewert.
In the United States the surname is most often seen spelled as Goewert. Goewerts, Goebert, Goebel, and Goewertz are also seen in America.
Alternative spellings of Goewert from Germany include Gewert, Goewerth, Goereth and Goewerth.
Goewert is also a common surname in the Netherlands, where it is found mostly in the southern regions. Farmsteads with the Goewert surname are scattered throughout the country. In the Netherlands the Goewert surname is sometimes seen spelled as Goewerts and Goewarts, although these spellings are rare.
There are many variants of the Goewert surname found across Europe, including Gowert in Germany, Govaerts and Guivert in Belgium, and Gouverneur and Gouwer in France.
Overall, the Goewert surname is quite widespread and comes in many variations around the world.
Famous people with the name Goewert
- Larry Goewert: a retired Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Carl Goewert: former head of the American Bankers Association and the CEO of First Bank System (now U.S. Bank).
- Don Goewert: professional lacrosse player.
- Tony Goewert: former NFL player for the New Orleans Saints.
- Anne Goewert: best-selling independent author and business consultant.
- John Goewert: professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota.
- Francis Goewert: former U.S. Army Brigadier General and President of De Anza College.
- Karl Goewert: former automotive executive and race car driver.
- Jacob Goewert: former Wisconsin state senator.
- Anita Goewert: American medical doctor.