Surname Voight - Meaning and Origin
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Voight: What does the surname Voight mean?
The last name Voight is of German origin and means "praise." It is commonly found among families of German or Swiss-German descent, particularly in the area of Bavaria. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 13th century, when it was originally spelt as "Voget."
The name Voight has multiple possible meanings, including "brave", "proud", or "honorable". It can also be seen as a reference to a wealthy person, as "voight" was a term used to mean a kind of nobility in the Middle Ages.
In the 20th century, the name Voight became popularized by actor Jon Voight, who won an Academy Award for his role in Coming Home. This may have caused the name to gain even more popularity in the United States, particularly among families of German descent.
Overall, the name Voight carries a variety of positive meanings. It can mean brave, proud, honorable, and wealthy, creating an image of a person who is strong, successful, and respected.
Order DNA origin analysisVoight: Where does the name Voight come from?
The last name Voight is most commonly found in Germany. The name is derived from the old German word 'fugo', which means 'the traveler'. This was likely given to someone who moved from one place to another, such as a miner, merchant, soldier or craftsman.
Currently, the largest numbers of those living with the last name Voight can be found in Germany, accounting for roughly 15% of individuals with the name. Within Germany, it is most abundantly found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Outside of Germany, those with the surname Voight can be found in smaller numbers in other European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. There is also a small number of people living with the Voight surname living in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The popularity of the last name Voight has remained relatively consistent over the centuries, with the most active years of its use dating back to the 1600s. Despite its long and limited geographical presence, it has become a recognizable surname among those of German descent.
Variations of the surname Voight
The surname Voight is a common Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish name. Various spellings and variants of the surname Voight exist, depending on the country of origin. In Germany, for example, the surname is often spelled “Vögte” or “Vögt”. In Austria-Hungary, it is sometimes spelled “Vajt”, “Vas”, “Vayt” or “Voit”. Sometimes, it is also spelled “Voyt”. In America, the surname is often spelled “Voit”. In the Netherlands, the surname is sometimes spelled “Voigt” or “Voygt”.
In addition to the spelling variants, related surnames exist, which are derived from the same root. Some variants of Voight that have a similar origin are “Ficht” or “Feight”, which originated in Germany, and “Foye”, which originated in France. There is also the Irish surname “Vaughan”, which was derived from the Gaelic “O Faodhagain”. Additionally, the Italian surname “Fava” may possibly have some connection to the Voight surname.
The surname has spread across Europe due to migration and is especially common in countries such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is also common in some countries in South America due to emigration from Europe. As a result of this spread, some people with the surname Voight may also have other nationalities, depending on their country of origin.
Famous people with the name Voight
- Angelina Jolie Voight: Angelina is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has starred in numerous hit films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Wanted, Mr & Mrs Smith, and Maleficent. She also won an Academy Award for her role in Girl Interrupted.
- Jon Voight: Jon Voight is an American actor. He has had a long and successful career in film and television and is perhaps best known for his roles in films such as Deliverance, Midnight Cowboy, Mission Impossible, and Ray Donovan. He has also earned four Academy Award nominations and won one in the category of Best Actor in 1978 for his performance in Coming Home.
- James Van Der Beek: James Van Der Beek is an American actor best known for his lead role in the popular teen drama series Dawson’s Creek. He has since appeared in films such as Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction, and Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23.
- Chip Taylor: Chip Taylor is an American singer-songwriter. He is best known for writing the classic hit songs “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning” and has written many other hits as well.
- Ricci James Voight: Ricci James Voight is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his roles in films such as Little Odessa, In the Cut, and the Grey Zone.