Surname Guter - Meaning and Origin
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Guter: What does the surname Guter mean?
The surname Guter is of German origin and is derived from the word Gut, meaning ‘good’ or ‘durable’. This indicates that the original bearer of the surname was someone who was considered to have ‘good’ or ‘fine’ attributes or possessions.
The name likely began as an occupational surname, originally used to refer to someone who was a ‘gut-maker’, or someone who crafted items such as musical instruments, furniture, or tools out of wood and other materials. As time passed, the name evolved into the form Guter and eventually to Gutermann.
The Guter family was among the earliest inhabitants of Germany, with records of their presence in the region dating back to as early as the 14th century. During this time, the Guter family moved around parts of Germany including Bavaria, Prussia, and Pomerania.
It is likely that many members of the Guter family intermarried with other local populations, contributing to a genetic and cultural diversity which still exists today. A number of Guter descendants in modern times are found in Spain, Austria, and the United States, among other countries.
Despite the differences in pronunciation and origin, the surname Guter continues to remind modern families of the unifying power of heritage and history, representing a strong sense of common and enduring legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisGuter: Where does the name Guter come from?
The last name Guter is most common today in Germany and Austria, among German-speaking countries. In the latest available records from 2017, Guter was among the top 400 surnames in Germany, where there are approximately 6.2 million occurrences of the name. In Austria, it is less common but still placed in the top 500 of last names.
The origin of the name is believed to come from the Old High German word "guter," meaning lucky, good, or fortunate. It was likely first used as a nickname for someone with an especially pleasant or lucky disposition.
The Guter name also appears in the United States on a much lower frequency than Germany or Austria. From 2000 to 2013, less than 2,000 people with the last name Guter were counted in the U.S. Census.
In summary, the surname Guter today is most common in Germany and Austria. It is of German origin, and was likely first used as a nickname to describe someone with an especially pleasant disposition. In the U.S., the surname is much less common, appearing in the Census on a lower frequency than other countries.
Variations of the surname Guter
The surname Guter is a variation of the surname spelled Güter. It is derived from an occupational name meaning “goods,” which is related to the Old High German word guta meaning “property or goods.” It is likely that this surname was adopted by families who were merchants or who were responsible for making payments and calculations associated with goods. This surname is found most commonly in Germany, but it can also be found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland.
The variants, spellings, and surnames that have the same origin as Guter are as follows: Güter, Guters, Guters,Gutar, Gütar, Guterz, Güterz,Guth, Güth, Guthar, Güther, Gutler, Gütler, Gutmann, and Gütmann.
This surname can be found in a variety of spellings depending on the regional dialect or language of the area, as well as the spelling preferences of the individuals who adopted the name. For example, the surname Gutar is a regional variation that is found in the region of Slovakia. Variations such as Gutmann and Gütmann are found in Germany, while Gutler and Gütler are found in Switzerland and Austria.
In addition to these regional variations, it is also common to find slight spelling variations that simply reflect the preferences of certain families, such as Guters and Guterz, both of which are variations of Guter.
The meaning behind the Guter surname is one of origins in trade and commerce, and this is why it is still found widely in German-speaking countries today.
Famous people with the name Guter
- Arthur Guter: Arthur Guter is a German actor, comedian, and television presenter. He is known for his performance in the popular German television series “Stromberg”, which aired from 2004-2011.
- Stephan Guter: Stephan Guter is a German former professional ice-hockey player and current consulting coach. He played for the NHL and the Eisbären Berlin in the DEL.
- Richard Guter: Richard Guter was a prominent Catholic theologian, philosopher, and author. He is noted for his works on Thomistic philosophy and is widely regarded as a leading figure in Catholic theology.
- Johann C. Guter: Johann C. Guter was a German doctor and philosopher, recognized for his works on German Romanticism. He was born in 1748 and served as a chaplain in the Swedish army.
- Walter Guter: Walter Guter was a German aircraft designer and aircraft engineer. He is best known for his work on the Messerschmitt-262 Schwalbe.
- Nikolaus Guter: Nikolaus Guter was a German banker and real-estate investor, known for his banking reforms during the Weimar Republic. Guter was a founding member of the German National Bank in 1923.
- Dolph Guter: Dolph Guter was a German businessman and lawyer, active in the late 19th and early 20th century. He is known particularly for his work on the development of international trademark law.
- Stephanie Guter: Stephanie Guter is a German actress and voice actress. She is best known for providing the German voice for Daphne in the Scooby-Doo animated series.
- Lars Guter: Lars Guter is a German ice hockey player, playing in the DEL2 for the Lausitzer Füchse. He was drafted to the SHL in 2018 and has also played in the German National Team.