Surname Offergelt - Meaning and Origin

Offergelt: What does the surname Offergelt mean?

The last name Offergelt is a German name that has a variety of alternative spellings. It is believed to be a habitational name which derives from a location name, i.e., one that was taken on by a sign of a geographical area where the family had lived for many generations, such as a farmstead, village, or town.

The literal meaning of Offergelt is 'offering-money' and signifies that the original bearers of this name possessed a great fortune that was used to purchase some piece of land, such as a farm or estate, in the Middle Ages. Alternatively, the name may have been derived from the phrase 'Offer Gelt', which means 'to give money'. In some regions of Germany, this phrase was commonly used to refer to goods or money given in exchange for services rendered.

The Offergelt family crest is a black lion atop a shield that contains a red escutcheon. The lion traditionally symbolizes courage and strength and the escutcheon provides a clear representation of the family’s wealth and high standing in the community. As the family continues to grow in number, its members proudly maintain their deeply entwined roots in Germany and continue to honor their family name and legacy.

Offergelt: Where does the name Offergelt come from?

The last name Offergelt is most prominent today in the Netherlands, particularly in the southern Netherlands region, where it has been long established. Other areas of Europe where the name can be found include France, Germany, and various eastern European countries. This may be due to the family’s ancestral roots in Germany, but it also likely reflects centuries of migration during and after the Middle Ages.

The Offergelt surname is believed to be of Flemish and German origin. The name is derived from the Dutch words ‘offer,’ meaning gift, and ‘gelt,’ which is money. Thus, it is thought to mean ‘giver of something’ or ‘gift of money’.

The Offergelt surname can be found in Canada, the United States, and Australia today, often linked to descendants of people who migrated from Europe in the 19th century. The United States is home to the largest number of individuals with the last name Offergelt. Texas, in particular, is a hotspot for the surname.

Thus, while the Offergelt name may have originated in Germany, it is now found all over the world. For the greatest concentration of people with the Offergelt last name, look to the Netherlands and southern Europe, with the United States also playing a significant role.

Variations of the surname Offergelt

The surname Offergelt is a German name of German origin. It is likely derived from the words "ofer" meaning over and "gelt" meaning money, hence, the term could mean "money over and above".

Variants of the surname Offergelt include Offeregelt, Oeffergelt, Offergeld, Oeffergeld, Overgelt, Oppergeld, Offergold, Opfergold, Offergeldt and others.

Spellings of the surname Offergelt include Offergeld, Oeffergeld, Offergeldt, Oppergeldt, Offeregelt, Oeffergelt, Offergold, Opfergold and others.

Surnames of the same origin as Offergelt include Offerguld, Offregold, Offrisgold, Ofrisgolt, Offersgelt and others.

Famous people with the name Offergelt

• Suzanne Offergelt: German film actress, whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s.
• Danni Offergelt: Social entrepreneur and former head of Public Policy for the European Union.
• Jason Offergelt: American cinematographer, television director, and motion picture director.
• Nina Offergelt: American-born artist best known for her papier-mâché sculptures.
• Mickey Offergelt: American television and film actor and comedian.
• Michael Offergelt: Austrian physicist who worked in the fields of aeronautics and nuclear physics.
• Oliver Offergelt: German football manager, former player, and coach.
• Lucie Offergelt: Austrian tennis player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm.
• Shameema Offergelt: South African actress and theater director.
• George Offergelt: German-American author and journalist.

Other surnames

Offergeld