Surname Pottgiesher - Meaning and Origin

Pottgiesher: What does the surname Pottgiesher mean?

The last name Pottgiesher is an occupational surname that originated in Germany. It is an alternative spelling of the more common surname Potgescher or Potzescher. It is mainly used in the Lower Rhine region and in Austria and Switzerland.

The name Pottgiesher is derived from the German word "Potgescher" or "Potzescher" which is a variant of the word for a "Potman" or "Pot Maker". In the 17th century, a Potman or Pot Maker were people who made and sold the clay pots used in households for storage purposes.

Over time, the surname Pottgiesher has spread to more distant parts of the German-speaking world, such as some parts of North America, Australia, and South Africa. It has also become quite popular in Europe, where it is now a common German surname.

Today, the name Pottgiesher is generally associated with the German or Austrian-speaking nations, and it is still used throughout the world as a sign of being of Germanic descent. The name can be traced back for centuries in Germany and Austria, and it has definitely made its mark in history.

Pottgiesher: Where does the name Pottgiesher come from?

The last name Pottgiesher is believed to originate from Germany in the 1600s and 1700s, and is still quite common in Germany today. It's thought to be derived from the German surname Potgescher.

The surname Pottgiesher is uncommon in the United States, with the name mostly only found in people of German descent. According to Ancestry, today there are an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people with the last name Pottgiesher living in the United States. Additionally, Pottgiesher can be found in various other countries such as France, UK, and Canada.

In Pennsylvania, the Pottgiesher surname has a larger presence due to the area being a major hub of German immigration in the 19th century. The state is still home to numerous people with Germanic last names.

Despite the last name largely being concentrated in the United States and Germany today, small pockets of people with the surname can be found elsewhere. According to MyHeritage, researchers have managed to locate the surname in over 40 countries.

In general, the Pottgiesher surname is a remnant of early German settlers in Europe and the United States, which is where it is most commonly found today.

Variations of the surname Pottgiesher

The surname Pottgiesher is mostly seen in North America, where descendants of the original German immigrants carry the surname. The family name can be expressed in numerous variants and spellings, such as Potgieser, Patgieser, Patgiser, Patgeser, Potgeser, Potgisser, Potgiser, Pocher, Pochert, Potgeiser, and Potgeter.

There is still debate about the original form of the name. While some believe it was Potgieser, others claim it was Potgeiser. The international Genealogical Index (IGI) lists the surname as Potgeiser and Patgieser.

The coat of arms of the family derived from the prestigious Ascania dynasty is a black shield with a silver grenade in the center. The oldest known Pottgieser ancestor in America is Johann Heinrich Patgieser, who arrived with his family in Pennsylvania in 1766. He was a Hessian soldier and had earlier served as a guard for the future Emperor of Russia, Paul I.

Throughout the years, the surname has seen many variations. Some of these variations are regional and include Pocher, Pochert, Potgeter, and Potgeiser. The most common spellings of the name are Patgieser and Potgieser. It is also likely that some of the other versions of the name, such as Porjsher, Porcher, and Porchster, are related to the original Potgieser surname.

The popularity of the German original has caused the surname to spread throughout the world. Today, Pottgieshers are found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and numerous other countries as well. Regardless of the country, though, the Pottgiesher surname is still associated with its German origin.

Famous people with the name Pottgiesher

• Rachel Pottgieser: American entrepreneur and co-founder of Pilates ProWorks
• Sol Pottgieser: American songwriter and singer best known for his satirical parodies
• Harold J. Pottgieser: American physical chemist who won the President's National Medal of Science in 1987
• Phil Pottgieser: American lawyer who handled maritime law cases
• Bernard Pottgieser: French photographer, photojournalist, and activist
• Harry Pottgieser: American realtor and mayor of Gloucester City, New Jersey from 1904-1906
• Lucian Pottgieser: Danish professional chess player
• Elizabeth Pottgieser: American politician who served as a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Weston County
• Gerald Pottgieser: German botanist and ornithologist
• Johann Pottgieser: German artist who created religious frescoes and portraits
• Richard Pottgieser: American professor of physics at the University of Southern California
• Willy Pottgieser: German footballer who played as a striker for F.C. Olympia Wilhelmshaven in the 1920s and 1930s
• Louis Pottgieser, Jr.: American journalist and editor who worked for the New York Voice newspaper
• Eric Pottgieser: Swiss alpine skier who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics
• John Pottgieser: American cartographer who created the map of the Texas Republic while living in Fredericksburg, Texas

Other surnames

Pottgiesser