Surname Gouthier - Meaning and Origin
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Gouthier: What does the surname Gouthier mean?
The last name Gouthier is a French-origin surname. It is derived from the Old French word gouteur, which means 'taster'. The surname likely refers to an occupation as a taster or “one who tastes food or drinks on behalf of a lord or his court”.
In the Middle Ages, many lords had a taster, who would sample the food before they ate it in order to check for any poisons. The taster’s job was considered extremely important since poisonings were very common back then. It is hypothesized that those with this surname were either tasters personally employed by royalty or noble families, or were related to such individuals.
Today, the surname Gouthier is most commonly found in Canada and parts of France. There are also records of individuals with this last name in the United States, England, Australia, and other countries around the world.
The motto of the Gouthier family is ‘Taste before you eat’, which serves as a reminder of their ancestors’ historical occupation which still exists to this day. It is an important reminder to be careful in life and always double-check one’s choices before making decisions.
Order DNA origin analysisGouthier: Where does the name Gouthier come from?
The last name Gouthier is common today in both France and the French-speaking areas of North America. In France, records show that it is most commonly found in the southern part of the country, particularly in the Loire Valley region and Languedoc-Roussillon region. Records from the 19th and 20th centuries also show the surname widely distributed in the northern part of the country.
In North America, the last name Gouthier is more prevalent in the United States than in Canada. The highest concentrations of the surname Gouthier are found in the northeastern and midwest states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Gouthier is also found in Louisiana, likely due to the province’s historical ties to France and the presence of an early 20th century French-speaking community there.
The surname Gouthier is sometimes also found in geographic areas outside of traditional French-speaking areas. This is likely due to more recent immigration from France to other countries, or intermarriage between individuals with French-speaking heritage.
Variations of the surname Gouthier
The surname Gouthier (sometimes spelled Goudier, Godeau, Goudot, Goudon etc) can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated in northern France, though some instances have been found in other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands. Gouthier is a variant spelling of the French given name Gautier. This name is derived from the Germanic words "gaut" and "heri", which roughly translate to mean ‘look, host or army’.
The Gouthier name is also linked to the surname Wautier, as the two are thought to have branched off from the same original root. The Wautier name was found to have been more widespread in the Netherlands, but is still found in some French records. This suggests that the Gouthier and Wautier families may have derived from a common ancestor in the past.
Additionally, there are other forms of Gouthier and Wautier, such as: Gotier, Coteau, Cotier, Couture, Coutier, Goethier, Goelet, Gautreau, Goault, Godeau, Godet, Gaudet, and Gauthe. These variations are found in many countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Gouthier can also be found as a variant of the surname Godyer. Godyer is thought to be connected to the German, or Northern Anglo-Saxon, surname Godfried (or Goedefried). Thus, it is believed that the Gouthier name is likely derived from a Germanic root.
In short, Gouthier is an ancient, French family name that evolved over time and spread to different countries. It is still found today and is associated with multiple variations and spellings.
Famous people with the name Gouthier
- Pierre Gouthier: French writer, screenwriter and actor born in the 1960s.
- Gilbert Gouthier: French soldier, embroiderer, and entrepreneur in the 19th century.
- Abbé Gouthier: Founder of the Congregation of St. Michael in the 16th century.
- Philippe Gouthier: French Literature master and important writer of his time, active during the mid 16th century.
- Jean-Baptiste Gouthier: French law professor and speaker, active between 1689 and 1711.
- Arnaud Gouthier: French sculptor and ceramist, who was born in 1883.
- Jacques Gouthier: French diplomat and Lieutenant of the Navy during the mid 18th century.
- Marie-Françoise Gouthier: French activist in the 19th century who was a very strong advocate for women's rights.
- Yann Gouthier: French Alpinist born in 1944, who made history by climbing some of the most challenging mountains around the world.
- Jean-Marc Gouthier: Former president and CEO of a leading French water company, active in the 2000s.