Surname Pütger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pütger: What does the surname Pütger mean?
The last name Pütger is believed to be derived from two distinct roots, one German and one Dutch. The German root likely began as a nickname for someone who made or dressed felt or fur hats, deriving from the Low German word pütten meaning felt or fur hats. The Dutch root likely began as a nickname for someone who was a peddler or seller of goods, derived from the Dutch word putten, which refers to the carrying of something for sale. The two root words likely converged in the 1500s and 1600s in the Lower Rhine area of Germany and the Netherlands, when this area was heavily populated with both Germans and Dutch.
When immigrants bearing this name began to settle in North America, the spelling of this name was simplified by Anglicizing it to Putger. This simplified version has since become the predominant spelling in North America.
Thus, the last name Pütger is a combination of two distinct roots with German and Dutch origins. It likely began as a nickname given to someone who made hats or sold goods, and began to be used as a last name in the 1500s and 1600s. Upon entering North America, the spelling was modified to Putger and has become the more widespread version of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisPütger: Where does the name Pütger come from?
Pütger is a surname that is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the north central area known as former East Prussia. The exact number of Pütger families living in Germany today is unknown, but it is likely that there is a sizeable community throughout the country.
Pütger may have originated in Germany sometime around the 1500s. It soon spread to the surrounding countries in the German-speaking region, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It also made its way to the Baltic countries and Russia. The surname is derived from the German words “putzen”, which refer to those who made or sell beer, and “ger”, which is a suffix generally used with occupational surnames.
Immigration to the United States in the 19th and 20th century allowed Pütger families to spread out all over the world. Today, Pütgers can be found in Europe, America, Australia, and many other parts of the world. There are likely many Pütger families who have immigrated to the United States from Germany and have a much larger presence there than in Germany itself.
In Germany today, Pütger is likely to be encountered mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the country. This is largely due to the historical settlement patterns in those areas. It is also more common in rural areas due to the original farming and brewing roots of the surname.
Regardless of where Pütger families live today, it is most likely a family name that can be traced back hundreds of years in German history.
Variations of the surname Pütger
The surname Pütger is of German origin. Variants of this name include Putger, Putgerin, Poetger, Poetgerin, Petger, Petgerin, Peutger, Peutgerin, and Poetgern. It is also possible the name has been somewhat altered over the centuries and can now be spelled Puetger, Puetgerin, Puetgern, Petgern, Puetgern, Putgern, Puetgen, Petgen, Putgen, and Poetgen.
Among other spelling variations of this surname include Pucher, Putchneer, Puchner, Puchnier, Puttchener, Puthner, Puthener, Puthhner, Puthnier, Buttener, Buthner, Pethener, Puthner, and Putner.
The variants of this surname can also be used as surnames in other languages, such as Putiger in Polish or Puetgern in Dutch.
In Germany, this surname is most commonly found in the regions of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Thuringia, as well as Saxony-Anhalt. There are also records of the name being found in Prussia from the 17th century as far back as the 13th century. It is still quite common to find this surname in parts of Germany today.
Pütger is also found quite commonly among other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. There are also records of this name being found in various other locations abroad, such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
In addition to this surname, a few notable people who have been known to bear the name include German actor Johannes Putger, Dutch artist Wilhelm Putger, and French soccer player Léon Putger.
Famous people with the name Pütger
- Laura Pütger; German female football player who played for Duisburg for many years and also for the German U19 and U21 national teams
- Malte Pütger; German writer and director
- Gundula Pütger; German writer and dramaturg
- Stephan Pütger; German sculptor and painter
- Ludwig Pütger; German composer
- Marc Pütger; German actor
- Jürgen Pütger; German journalist
- Christine Pütger; German journalist and broadcaster
- Sebastian Pütger; German travel writer and photographer
- Walter Pütger; German physicist