Surname Köttner - Meaning and Origin
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Köttner: What does the surname Köttner mean?
The last name Köttner is a German surname that originated in the Middle Ages. There are two possible origins for the surname. The first is from a combination of the words 'Kot' or 'Kote', which were old Middle German words for a small, circular hill, plus an agentive suffix '-er'; so the name in full would be 'The one from the small circular hill'. The second possibility is based on the Middle High German word 'Kottin', which came from the personal name 'Kote' or 'Kotwin'.
The Köttner Family History traces it origins as far back as the 15th century in some regions of Germany, when the Köttner name first appeared. Records of the family name's earliest appearance are around this time, when a certain Andreas Kotener was recorded in 1465 in the archives of the city of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony, Germany. By the 16th century the Köttner name was widespread in Germany and had become a prominent family name in many areas.
Today, the Köttner surname is most commonly found in Germany, though it can also be found in other European countries, including Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, and the United States. It is also a popular name in South America, especially in Brazil and Argentina. In Germany, the Köttner surname is common and is a well-known name.
Though the Köttner surname is over 600 years old, it remains to this day a part of many family traditions and stories to be passed down through generations. It is a reminder of the history and heritage of the Köttner family, as well as a symbol of longevity and stability.
Order DNA origin analysisKöttner: Where does the name Köttner come from?
Köttner is a surname of German origin. It is relatively common in Germany and Austria and can be found in the areas of Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. It has also spread to other countries, as evidenced by pockets of Köttners found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The prevalence of Köttner is primarily rooted in the various historical German regions of Franconia, Lippe, and Hesse-Nassau. During the 19th century, these areas saw an increase in family names ending with "er" (such as Zimmer, Fischer, and Köttner), indicating that the name began to appear after this period of expansion.
The use of Köttner has declined since then, however, due to the many conflicts and migrations of the 20th century. In modern Germany, the name is not particularly widespread, but it is still seen in some towns and villages in the aforementioned regions. The name is tending to be more popular in the eastern regions of Germany, such as Saxony-Anhalt. In some cases, it has since become engrained into the local culture and dialect, which is evident in the various variant spellings of the name, such as Kötener in parts of Thuringia.
Overall, the Köttner name has contracted in recent decades, but it is still common in some areas of Germany and other countries with German-speaking populations.
Variations of the surname Köttner
Köttner is a surname of German origin meaning 'cattle dealer'. Common variants, spellings and surnames derived from the same origin include Kottner, Ködder, Köpter, Kotzoner, Kottnermann, Kottnerová, Kottnauer, Kötten, Köttl and Kötl.
Kottner is the most common variant of the surname, and is found throughout parts of Europe and most notably Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This spelling is considered to be the most popular in its various forms, and is found with both English and German spellings, Kotner, Cottner, and Kottner. Other surnames beginning with 'Kott' are thought to be derived from this origin, specifically the surnames Kottmann, Kottmeier, Kottnermann, and Köttl.
Ködder is another variant of the surname and can also be found in regions across Europe. This spelling is believed to have originated in certain regions of Germany, located mainly in the former East Germany, and is said to mean 'large pitcher or jug'.
Köpter is a variant and can also be found mainly in Germany. This spelling is thought to originate from the word 'kopf', which means 'head' or 'bearer'.
Kotzoner is another variant found mainly in Germany and Switzerland, and is believed to mean 'dispenser of potatoes'. Potatoes were a popular staple in the diets of some rural and poorer areas in both countries at the time the surname was first recorded.
Kottnermann is a variant of the name which is found mainly in Germany. This form of the name is believed to be a combination of 'Kott' and 'mann', which means 'man'.
Kottnerová is also mainly found in Germany and is thought to be the female variant of the surname. This variant is believed to be a combination of 'Kott' and 'ová', which means 'daughter of'.
Finally, Köttl and Kötl are variants of the name found mainly in Austria and Germany. This form of the name originated in Austria and was derived from the old middle high German word 'kotel', meaning 'little house'.
Famous people with the name Köttner
- Rita Köttner: Actress and theatre director, nominee for the German Film Awards for Best Actress in 2020
- Klaus Köttner: German football player and coach, currently playing with SV Straelen
- Alfred Köttner: Painter and graphic designer, known for his lithographs and metal works
- Rainer Köttner: German journalist, co-founder of the Kölnische Rundschau newspaper
- Claus Köttner: German musician, choir conductor and singer
- Gustav Köttner: German doctor of pharmacy and renowned chemist, inventor of the so-called Köttner reaction
- Ferdinand Köttner: German military strategist, recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Astrid Köttner: German film director, producer and multi-award winner
- Klaus-Michael Köttner: German physicist and management consultant, renowned for his publications in the automotive field
- Heinz Köttner: German footballer, winner of the UEFA Intertoto Cup with FC Schalke 04 in 1996