Surname Orthgies - Meaning and Origin
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Orthgies: What does the surname Orthgies mean?
The last name Orthgies is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle German words "ort" and "geis," which mean “edge” and “spirit” respectively. This surname was likely given to someone who resided on the edge of a settlement, or was known to demonstrate a spirited demeanor.
In Germany, names are usually constructed from two traditional German words, so Orthgies can mean a variety of things. Some interpretations include “God’s corner,” “righteous corner,” “coastal guard,” “provider of justice,” “edge guardian” and “steep spirit.” These images connote a person with strong spiritual convictions, someone who stands his ground and may be seen as a good protector.
A variant of the Orthgies last name is Orthgeisen. This is derived from an old German word, “geisen,” which means “to damn” or “to curse.” While not the most uplifting interpretation, this variant suggests a person with righteous convictions and the bravery to stand up for what they believe in.
The Orthgies and Orthgeisen surnames are seen around the world today, in countries like the United States, Canada, England, Germany and many more. This surname has a long and interesting history, and it has been passed down in many families for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisOrthgies: Where does the name Orthgies come from?
The surname Orthgies or its variants, such as Orthgesmacher and Orthgesmacher, is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium today. It is thought to have first been used in Lower Saxony during the 15th century.
In Germany, the name appeared in records in the area known as Saxony in 1535, and today is still used in North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. The Netherlands and Belgium see the Orthgies name primarily in the very northern regions near the German border, suggesting a connection as it traveled north.
The Orthgies surname is the combination of two Germanic words, "Ort" (meaning place, area, or locality) and "gies" (resembling or attached to). Thus, the last name translates to the "residing in or belonging to the local area" – prompting speculation that it may have been used as a toponymic (place-based) surname.
Tracing a family’s surname use can provide an insight into the identity and history of that family. The Orthgies surname suggests a proud heritage of the family belonging to the place where it originated.
Variations of the surname Orthgies
The surname Orthgies has a few variations and alternate spellings such as Orthges, Orthgeis, Orthies and Orthiese. The change of spelling is due to the different dialects of the many languages that have roots in Germany.
Ortgies is a variation of the surname Orthgies. It is also the most widespread version. The name originated in the North-Rhine Westphalia area of what is now Germany. The meaning of the name Ortgies is thought to be that of a blacksmith or smith whose ancestors were involved in the trade of metalwork.
The surname Orthgies has a few other variants and possible surnames, such as Ortges, Ortgesse, Orgies, Orgisse, Ortis, Ortisse, Ortitz and Ortitzen. These surnames all likely originated from the same place and could possibly have intermarried families or shared genetic lines.
The surname also has an English variant, similar to many of the other German names. It is spelled as ‘Ortgies’ which is phonetically pronounced as “ort-gigh-ez”. Finally, the Dutch language version, similar to the German one, is called Ortgies.
In conclusion, Orthgies is a Germanic surname with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Most are variations on the name, such the English version ‘Ortgies’ and the Dutch version ‘Ortgies’. Other variants include Orthges, Orthgeis, Orthies, Orthiese, Ortges, Ortgesse, Orgies, Orgisse, Ortis, Ortisse, Ortitz and Ortitzen.
Famous people with the name Orthgies
- Clemens Orthgies: German opera tenor
- Jakob Orthgies: German musicologist, composer, organist, and church musician
- Manfred Orthgies: German journalist and author
- Max Orthgies: German painter and graphic artist
- Mike Orthgies: American professional wrestler
- Richard Orthgies: German political activist and lawyer
- Ulrich Orthgies: German politician in the Free Democratic Party
- Tim Orthgies: American jazz trombonist and composer
- Robert Orthgies: American musicologist, professor, and author
- Elisa Orthgies: German composer and author