Surname Ortgies - Meaning and Origin
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Ortgies: What does the surname Ortgies mean?
The surname Ortgies is derived from a given name which is a combination of two separate Germanic words. The first part is from the German word "ort" meaning “place, land” and the second part is from the Germanic word "gīs" meaning “spear”. Therefore, the surname Ortgies literally translates to “spearplace”.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Ortgies dates back to the early 11th century when the family name was found in documents in several German cities. During this period, the Ortgies family were documented as land owners who had assets and holdings in various parts of Germany.
Over the following centuries, the Ortgies family continued to remain an influential and well-known family in Germany and elsewhere. In 1881 several members of the Ortgies family began using the spelling Ortgeys instead, which is now where the spelling Ortgeys leads back to.
Today, the Ortgies surname is still largely found in Germany. Some members of the family are still land owners and landowners, whilst others have adopted other professions and moved abroad. In any case, anyone who is lucky enough to carry the surname of Ortgies is guaranteed to have a rich and deep history that can be traced back centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisOrtgies: Where does the name Ortgies come from?
The last name Ortgies is a Germanic surname. It is primarily associated with Germany, particularly the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Today, the last name Ortgies is also common in countries where German immigrants have settled. These include the United States, South America, and Australia. The Ortgies name is believed to have originated as a street name that was adopted by the family, and later shortened to its current spelling.
The frequency of the Ortgies surname varies by country. It is most common in Germany, where it ranks at 867th in the list of most common surnames. In the United States, the name is 71,845th according to the USA Surname Distribution Map. In Australia, the name ranks at 2,718th, while in South America it is the 1,147th most common surname.
The Ortgies surname is most commonly found in the eastern regions of Germany, and in cities such as Hanover, Munich, and Berlin. In the United States, it is more widespread and is particularly popular in the states of New York, North Carolina, and Texas. In South America, the surname is most common in Brazil and in Australia it is most popular in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
In conclusion, the last name Ortgies is primarily associated with Germany, but is quite common in other countries where German immigrants have settled. It is more widespread in regions like the United States, South America, and Australia, and most commonly found in the eastern regions of Germany.
Variations of the surname Ortgies
Ortgies is a German surname which is derived from a place name, most likely in the Lower Rhine region. It is also spelled Ortjies, Orthgies, Ortgeis, and Ortgeise.
Variations in spelling may also have come about due to dialectical changes in pronunciation. In some areas, the initial "O" may have been pronounced as an "A", leading to the alternate spellings "Artgies" or "Arthgies". The original pronunciation of the name may have been "Or-tχīs".
The surname Ortgies is most common in Germany, where it has existed for centuries. It is believed to have arisen in Westphalia, and the family had become established there by 1397. More recently, it has also spread to other countries, most notably the United States, where the surname has been recorded since the 18th century.
The original spelling is Ortgies, and it is thought to have meant "of the oaks" in old German, possibly referencing a location near some large trees. It has been suggested that the surname may have been derived from the name of a small settlement, Ortenburg, that is now part of the town of Ichenhausen in Bavaria, Germany.
The surname Ortgies has been found in multiple areas of Germany, including Prussia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony. However, by the early 20th century, many members of the Ortgies family had spread to other countries, such as the United States, South America, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Ortgies
- Louis Ortgies: German industrialist and inventor of the Ortgies semi-automatic pistol.
- Mila Ortgies: Austrian socialite and philanthropist.
- Helmuth Ortgies: German architect, art director and documentarist.
- Wilhelm Ortgies: German World War II bomber pilot.
- Toni Ortgies: German actress and vocalist.
- Olof Ortgies: Swedish-American businessperson and translator.
- Cornelius Ortgies: German composer and jazz musician.
- Gaston Ortgies: Belgian cyclist.
- Marie Ortgies: German physician and ear, nose and throat specialist.
- Charles Ortgies: French politician.