Surname Lötten - Meaning and Origin
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Lötten: What does the surname Lötten mean?
The last name Lötten is of Germanic origin, most likely derived from the German personal name Lothar. This name is composed of the elements "hlod" (famous, glorious) and "heri" (army). It can also be derived from the Low German word "laten" which translates to "to let go" and was a term for a tenant or hired worker.
The Lötten surname was one of the earliest and most common Germanic names, primarily found in the Middle Rhine region, during the medieval period. The oldest known record dates back to 1250, when one Amelotte Lotten was mentioned as a witness to a conveyance in Germany.
Later, the Lötten surname was spread across Germany and Scandinavia. It was also among the earliest Germanic surnames to be adopted by German immigrants settling in North America, where it has now become one of the most widespread family names.
In contemporary times, the Lötten surname is still found predominantly in Germany, as well as in large numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries in the English-speaking world, where it is commonly mispronounced as "LOW-tin" by non-Germans.
In modern German, the surname is most often spelled Lötten or Lotten, depending on the region. It can sometimes be seen spelled as Loetten, Loten, Lowten, and other variants.
Order DNA origin analysisLötten: Where does the name Lötten come from?
The last name Lötten is most commonly seen within Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also common amongst other parts of Central Europe, including some areas of Austria, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
The origin of the name is believed to derive from the Old German for "Lot," meaning "share" or "portion." During the Middle Ages, this last name was often used to denote someone who had inherited or held a portion of land. However, it can also refer to a bartering system or a division of taxes and resources that was used by royalty during this time.
The earliest mention of this name was recorded in the 13th century when a certain Herman Lötten of Muhlhausen was noted to have had a "Gut" or estate. Since then, the name has cropped up in a variety of historical documents, notably in Catholic and Evangelical church records throughout Germany.
Today, the Lötten surname is still quite common in Germany. It is often seen in the major urban centers of Berlin, Munich, and Cologne. In Belgium, a modified version of this name is also quite popular; Lotten is a common last name in the Flemish version of the country. Additionally, the Dutch-language spelling, Loten, is also found with some frequency in the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Lötten
The surname Lötten is a German surname most commonly associated with the Rhineland area of Germany. Variations of this surname include the spellings Loehten, Loetten, Loeten, Loethen and Lohten. Surnames related to Lötten have origins from Germanic, Dutch and Low German language and include names such as Lotten, Loten, Leuten, Lutten, Luttens, Leutom, Lenden and Lütten.
The spelling ‘Lötten’ is derived from the German word ‘lötte’ or ‘lotte’ which was historically a nickname or term of endearment and often used to refer to a popular person. In modern times it could have been used to describe someone like a child or pet.
In some instances, the origins of the surname can be linked to topographical features of the landscape such as riverbanks or small streams, and in this case ‘Lötten’ may have been used to signify someone living near a ditch or stream.
The surname appears to date back to as early as the 16th century when records of the first recorded person with that name was found in Nordfriesland, Germany. Over the past 200-300 years, the surname has had quite a large distribution and can now be found around the world, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. It has also been adopted by some non-German cultures such as Lithuania, Russia and the Philippines.
It seems that although the origin of the surname ‘Lötten’ may not be the same for all variants, many of them are overall related to the same root words. When researching one’s family history, it is also important to consider the various spellings and other related surnames that may come from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Lötten
- Marcel Lötter: German sprint canoeist, four-time Olympic silver medalist
- Nasen Lötter: South African lawyer, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist
- Riaan Lötter: South African rugby player
- David Lötter: South African marathon runner and official
- Mark Lötter: South African television and radio personality
- Willem Lötter: Dutch footballer and assistant coach
- Rene Lötter: South African cricketer
- Nelson Lötter: South African triple jumper
- Nico Lotter: South African cricketer
- Erwin Lötter: German speed skater
- Fredrik Lötters: Swedish figure skater
- Yorick Lötter: Dutch professional footballer
- Cornelis Lötter: Dutch football manager
- Mirjam Lötten: Dutch professional cyclist