Surname Koertgen - Meaning and Origin

Koertgen: What does the surname Koertgen mean?

The last name Koertgen originated in Germany, and is a patronymic name. The given name from which it is derived would have been the given name of an ancestor, likely from ancient times. The Koertgen last name is derived from the given name "Kurt" which is derived from the Germanic personal name "Kurte". As a prefix, the name Kurt may also have been derived from the Germanic "Kurbo", which means "brave".

Over the centuries, the Koertgen surname has been associated with bravery and valor. One of the earliest documented references to the name is attributed to a 1207 record of a Koertgen, who at that time served as a captain under the Archbishop of Cologne. In later years, the Koertgen name was featured in many German records throughout the region.

Today, the Koertgen last name is found mostly in Germanic areas and is associated with a variety of professions, from farming to engineering. The Koertgen name is still a common one in Germany, and is respected and admired for its strength, courage and resourcefulness.

Koertgen: Where does the name Koertgen come from?

The surname Koertgen is most common in Germany and the Netherlands today. It originated in the 14th century in West Frisia, a region in the northern part of the Netherlands. In Frisian, the name translates to “curve garden,” which likely refers to the bend in a road or river-valley that passes through a garden.

The surname spread to the surrounding German-speaking countries of Belgium and Luxembourg in the Middle Ages. Today, the name is most widespread in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and in the Netherlands provinces of Noord-Holland and Friesland. The Netherlands has the highest concentration of Koertgen families, accounting for nearly 1,050 of the 2,500 Koertgens recorded worldwide.

The Koertgen name is not overly popular in the United States today; the U.S. Census Bureau does not record it. However, the name can be found in some areas of the country, such as Portland, Oregon, where the Koertgen family has resided since the mid-19th century.

Overall, the Koertgen surname is relatively uncommon in the United States, but it is widely distributed throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. The name’s origin in West Frisia and its prevalence there today indicate that it is a name with a long and proud history.

Variations of the surname Koertgen

Koertgen is a patronymic family name of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Koerte, which is a short form of the German name Konrad. Surrounding this surname, other variants, spellings and surnames with common origins include the following:

Kortge, Kortgen, Koertje, Kortje, Korte, Kneer, Koerte, Kern, Koertling, Kerty, koerth, Koenig, Konig, König, Krone, Koening and Konini.

In the United States, many people with this surname have changed it to Kortge or Kortgen, among other variations, often for various reasons, including spelling errors and registration with documentation of the surname. Those living in different parts of the world were often inspired to change the spelling of their name due to factors determined by their families, geographical location and also in time, their choice to go through periods of assimilation.

The German surname Koertgen literary translates to 'son of Koerte' – meaning 'son of Conrad', which was a popular name among medieval Germanic communities. It is believed the name stems from Old German language and means 'bold settlement' or 'bold counsel'. Over the centuries, this surname has spread to different parts of Germany such as Rhineland, Nordics and Ostfriesland.

The traditional German spelling of Koertgen is found in the Upper Middle German regions, where it is still widely used. In some regions of Germany, this surname may also be spelled Koenig, an alternate Dutch variation, due to shared Germanic and Dutch culture. This spelling is more common in Dutch-speaking sections of Germany and surrounding areas.

Famous people with the name Koertgen

• Daniela Koertgen: German film producer.
• Joe Koertgen: Irish former footballer.
• Tomás Koertgen: Chilean footballer.
• Samuel Koertgen: Swiss architect.
• Maja Koertgen: German women’s footballer.
• Martha Koertgen: German former cyclist.
• Miriam Koertgen: German athlete.
• Hans Koertgen: German painter.
• Ingrid Koertgen: German politician.
• Ray Koertgen: Canadian former ice hockey player.
• Amalie Koertgen: German-Austrian soprano.
• Ruth Koertgen: German swimmer.
• Gerhard Koertgen: German doctor and politician.
• Heiner Koertgen: German professional football manager.
• Werner Koertgen: German former footballer.
• Wolfgang Koertgen: German lawyer and politician.
• Guido Koertgen: German former policeman and politician.
• Johannes Koertgen: German priest.
• Blanche Koertgen: French actress.
• Eugen Koertgen: German entomologist.

Other surnames

Koertge