Surname Koevoet - Meaning and Origin

Koevoet: What does the surname Koevoet mean?

The surname Koevoet is of Dutch origin, coming from the Dutch word “koeve”, meaning “cow’s head.” It is likely derived from a topographical feature of the geographical area the family lived in.

The surname first appears to have been used as a first name in the Netherlands, but it also appears to have been adopted into family lines typically referred to as a patronymic surname referring to the father's given name. It likely began to be used as a surname around the 14th or 15th centuries when the use of hereditary surnames first started to become common in Holland.

Koevoet is also more recently associated with a South African military unit, also known as the Koevoet, which operated in the country’s civil war during the 1980s. The term “koevoet” means “cow’s foot” and is believed to have come from the Dutch phrase, “Omdenken en doorzetten,” which translates to “thinking outside of the box and pushing through.” This motto suggests that the unit was very proactive in their tactics, often surprising their opponents.

Today, there are still Koevoet families living in the Netherlands, while others have immigrated to Canada, the United States, South Africa, and other countries around the world. The surname is held in high honor for its close ties to Dutch history and as a reminder of the hard-working individuals who embodied the spirit of the South African military unit.

Koevoet: Where does the name Koevoet come from?

The last name Koevoet is believed to be of Dutch origin, possibly derived from the Dutch words koevoet, meaning crowbar or crowfoot.

Today, Koevoet is most common in old Dutch-speaking countries, especially The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and France. In The Netherlands, there are almost 600 people with the family name. It is also found in the Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium and Luxembourg, although in much lower numbers. It is especially prevalent in south Limburg, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.

In Germany, Koevoet predominately appears in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, which borders both The Netherlands and Belgium. In France, the name has been noted in the Normandy and Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes regions, which are geographically and historically related to The Netherlands.

In the United States, Koevoet is much less common. It has been seen in a few midwest states, including Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio. In Canada, it appears in smaller numbers primarily in Ontario.

Altogether, Koevoet is not a common last name worldwide. It has its roots in Dutch-speaking areas, and its highest concentrations are still found in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. It is typical to find a few people with the name in some parts of the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Koevoet

The surname Koevoet is derived from the Dutch language and it means “knife foot”. The surname is primarily found in the Netherlands, Belgium and South Africa, with some variations in spelling.

In the Netherlands, some common variations of the surname Koevoet include Koevoots, Koevoeds, and and Koevouts.

In South Africa, the surname is sometimes spelled as Koevoot, Koevaud, Koehaudt, and Koehaud.

In addition to the various spellings, there are also other surnames associated with the same origin as Koevoet. They include Koehoet, Koehoed, and Koehoedt.

In the United States, the Koevoet surname was changed to Covey or Coefield. The name Covey may come from the English word for ‘ashen faggot’, and Coefield may have originated from the Dutch ‘koevoets’.

To further complicate matters, the Koevoet spelling may also be found with various prefixes such as Van, De, and Der.

Overall, Koevoet is a surname with many variants, spellings and other surnames related to the same origin from the Dutch language. With variations in spelling and additional related surnames, it can often be difficult to trace its origin, although tracing the surname in its original spelling makes it much easier to track its history and roots.

Famous people with the name Koevoet

• Dries Koevoet: South African Professional Cyclist.
• Pim Koevoet: Dutch radiographer and TV presenter.
• Geert Koevoet: Dutch Professional Cyclist.
• Barry Koevoet: South African pharmaceutical executive.
• Michel Koevoet: Dutch Professional Cyclist.
• Koen Koevoet: Dutch Footballer.
• Rob Koevoet: Dutch professional windsurfer.
• Lourens Koevoet: Dutch Professional Motocross racer.
• Tom Koevoet: Dutch Motorcycle racer.
• Boris Koevoet: Dutch Cross-country skier and mountain biker.

Other surnames

Koevoets