Surname Gortemaker - Meaning and Origin
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Gortemaker: What does the surname Gortemaker mean?
The last name Gortemaker is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word gort meaning “barley” and the suffix maker meaning “maker” or “doer”. The likely literal translation of the name is thus “maker of barley” or “one who dealt with or worked with barley”. In other words, the name likely refers to an ancestor who processed and sold barley, possibly in the form of beer or simply as a grain.
Historically, barley was an important part of the Dutch culture and was often used as a form of currency. It was also used to make beer, as it was the main grain used in its production. This makes sense, as the Netherlands is well known for beer production, and the name Gortemaker could refer to a family that was involved in that process.
The name could also refer to someone from a lower class of society. Typically, the people who harvested, processed, and sold barley were farmers. This could explain why the name is so common in some areas of the Netherlands, as farmers and their descendants may have passed on the name.
Overall, the last name Gortemaker likely refers to someone involved in the harvesting, processing, or selling of barley, or even the production of beer. It would have been an important part of their family’s history and could be traced back to many generations of Dutch history.
Order DNA origin analysisGortemaker: Where does the name Gortemaker come from?
The last name Gortemaker is most commonly seen today in the Netherlands and Belgium, more precisely in the Dutch-speaking regions. It's a rare last name found in other countries as well, particularly in Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
In the Netherlands, the surname originated with a man named Gorter, who lived in the late 14th century in the city of Amsterdam. Over the centuries, the Gorter family spread out, so that today Gortemakers are found all over the country.
In Belgium, the name is found mainly in the Flemish provinces and the Belgian-speaking enclave of Koekelberg, located in the Brussels-Capital Region. The Gortemakers here are likely descended from the same family as their Dutch counterparts. However, the name can also be found in the municipality of Veurne, which is located in the French-speaking part of Belgium.
Gortemaker is also sometimes seen in Germany and Luxembourg, although it is rarer there than in Holland and Belgium. In Germany, it is mainly found in the Wolfenbüttel district of Northern Lower Saxony. In Luxembourg, it is mainly found in the south of the country. Finally, in Switzerland, the name is quite rare, with only a handful of people bearing it.
Overall, the last name Gortemaker is most widely seen in the Netherlands and Belgium today, with smaller pockets in Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Gortemaker
The surname Gortemaker has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include: Gortemaker, Gortmeker, Gorthmeker, Goortmaker, Gortmeker, Gortmacker, Gortmacker, Gortekker, Gortykker, Gortmich, Goortemijer, Gortmager, Gortmeer, and Gortmerk.
The most likely origin of the name is the Middle Dutch word "Gortmaker," which translates as "cooper" or "barrel-maker." This explains why many of the variants of the name are related to the making or mending of barrels, as in Gorthmeker, Goortemijer and Gortmager.
Over time, the Dutch spelling of Gortmaker has changed to Gortemaker in some cases. In other cases, one of the given variants has evolved into a slightly different spelling. For example, Gorthmeker and Goortemijer have both developed into Gortmacker and Gortmager respectively.
The variants and surnames of the same origin are also found in other countries, most notably Germany, where they are usually spelled Gorthmaker, Gorthmeier, Gorthmeir, and Gorthmaker.
Generally, the name Gortemaker is thought to be a relatively uncommon surname, with only a few thousand people around the world possessing the name. However, some variants may be more common in certain areas. For example, the variants Gortmacker and Gortmager are more commonly seen in the Netherlands, and Gorthmaker and Gorthmeir can be found in Germany.
Famous people with the name Gortemaker
- Ries Gortemaker: Dutch politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019.
- Willem Gortemaker: Dutch entrepreneur and President of Pakhoed, a major Dutch port, rail and logistics company.
- Mathijs Gortemaker: Dutch modern artist, known for his abstract paintings and sculptures.
- Edwin Gortemaker: Dutch Air Force Pilot and former commander of the NATO northern airfield in Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands.
- Marijke Gortemaker: Dutch author, screenwriter and film producer.
- Arnold Gortemaker: Dutch television presenter, best known for his popular science television programs.
- Lenore Gortemaker: American country music artist who has released several albums.
- Laurien Gortemaker: Dutch documentary filmmaker and director, known for her work on the 2006 documentary The Summer of '45.
- Jan Gortemaker: Dutch professional cyclist, who competed in the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games.
- Fabian Gortemaker: Dutch cyclist, who won the 2008 Dutch National Cycling Championship.