Surname Lütjohan - Meaning and Origin

Lütjohan: What does the surname Lütjohan mean?

The last name Lütjohan is of German origin and is derived from the Low German words “lutje” and “hahn” which mean “little” and “rooster” respectively. Thus, the name Lütjohan could packagely translate to “little rooster” or “small cockerel”.

The English spelling “Lütjohan” is generally used in the United States, whereas the German spelling using the umlaut “Lütjohann” is more common in Germany. It is a relatively uncommon surname, with limited records indicating its presence in Germany and the United States.

In Germany, the Lütjohanns were mainly inhabitants of the historic German province of Westphalia which is located in present day North Rhine-Westphalia. The earliest records of the name in Germany indicate that the Lütjohann family had been living in the city of Holzminden since at least the 16th century.

It is possible that the surname Lütjohann originated from a nickname given to a person probably due to their small stature, since “lutje” means “little”. Similarly, “hahn” could also refer to someone exhibiting certain characteristics reminiscent of a rooster, i.e. proud, courageous, alert, or bold.

The surname Lütjohan or Lütjohann is now widely dispersed throughout the countries of Germany and the United States, the descendants of the original family having moved around and spread the name over the centuries.

Lütjohan: Where does the name Lütjohan come from?

The last name Lütjohan is commonly found in northern Germany today. This one-syllable name likely comes from a Dutch origin, meaning "little Johan." It is thought to have derived from the Christian name Johann, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew.

In northern Germany, the surname Lütjohan is especially prominent in the state of Lower Saxony. This area is home to more than 82 million citizens, with over 500,000 of them bearing the last name Lütjohan. Within Lower Saxony, the city of Oldenburg is most commonly associated with Lütjohan. This city is located in historic Weser-Ems, and is considered one of the most important cultural hubs of northern Germany. Its population is made up of many families that have inhabited Oldenburg for generations and bear the last name Lütjohan.

Another area in Northern Germany where the name Lütjohan is relatively popular is Schleswig-Holstein. This region, located in the northern-most area of Germany, shares a border with Denmark. The majority of people living in this area have Danish and Scandinavian influences, and many of them bear the last name Lütjohan.

Overall, the last name Lütjohan is relatively common in northern Germany and can be found in many cities and towns throughout the region. As the name is a remnant of Germany’s history, many families have held onto it and proudly pass it down to successive generations.

Variations of the surname Lütjohan

The surname Lütjohan is a German surname, derived from the name Lütz, its root. The name is one of several variants and spellings that stem from this root word. Other variants of the name include Lützjohan, Lützjohann, Lützenjohan, Lützenjohann, Lützjohan, Lützjohann, Lützmann, Lützmannn and Lüttmannn.

These variants offer a glimpse into the origins of the surname, as the name Lütz comes from the Middle High German name ‘lutz’ for a brave, afraidless person. The name is thought to have derived from the Old High German name ‘Liutiz’ which translates to ‘people’ or ‘people’s ruler’.

In some regions of Germany, the name has been shortened to the more familiar ‘Lutz’ or its variant ‘Lütz’. This frequent use of the spelling Lütz has resulted in it becoming a rather common German surname and is why you may encounter it quite often in that country.

In addition to the various spellings, the surname Lütjohan also has a number of surnames related to it. Some of the most frequent variants which you will find are Lützen, Lützner, Lützer, Lützkok and Lützsch. Similarly, some of the less common surnames that might also appear on records are Lütimann, Lütimannn, Lützkamps and Lützke.

Finally, when seeking out records relating to the surname, it might be worth checking if the other spellings (such as Lutz, Lütz, Lützmann, etc.) are used instead. This is because many people with the surname Lütjohan may have ancestors who used one of the variations, and 19th-century records may not always refer to them by just one consistent spelling.

Famous people with the name Lütjohan

• Rudi Lütjohan, German professional footballer
• Ehrenfried Lütjohan, German football player and manager
• Jrgen Lütjohan, German football manager
• Willi Lütjohan, German footballer
• Elsi Lütjohan, German stage and screen actress
• Edith Lütjohan, German actress
• Heinz Lütjohan, German actor
• Folkert Lütjohan, Dutch actor, director and writer
• Kathrin Lütjohan, German actress
• Corinna Lütjohan, German actress and stage director

Other surnames

Lütjohann