Surname Gottschall - Meaning and Origin
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Gottschall: What does the surname Gottschall mean?
The surname Gottschall (or Goetschel/Goetschel) is German in origin and is derived from the words “Goetz” meaning “Goat” and “Schall” meaning “Chance”. Therefore, it is likely that this surname was taken on by an ancestor who was either a goat-keeper or related to the occupation. Alternatively, the surname could also refer to somebody who was deemed lucky, as the name Boetschal suggests “fortunate one” or “blessed one”.
The surname Gottschall first appears in German records in the late 15th century during a period of prosperity and political stability, known as the “Golden Age”. During this time, many families began to use surnames for identification. It is believed the Gottschall family at this time lived north-west of Munich, near the villages of Bachtal and Fronhofen.
In the centuries since, the Gottschall surname has spread throughout Germany and across the world with German-speaking countries, particularly the United States and Canada. The Gottschall family today is a true global family, that can trace its roots back hundreds of years. Over time, the name has adopted other varieties such as Goetschel, Goetschel, and Goetzschell.
The Gottschall family has been blessed with some significant success across industries and countries. Franz Gottschall was a prominent academic and poet in the 1800s, whilst in Canada, the Gottschall family is one of the longest-running business dynasties in the country, having founded a significant shoe manufacturing business in the 1920s.
In conclusion, the surname Gottschall is steeped in history and provides a tapestry of stories and successes for its many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisGottschall: Where does the name Gottschall come from?
The last name Gottschall is common throughout Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is unusual, however, outside of this region. In Germany alone, Gottschall is currently the 453rd most popular surname.
In the United States, Gottschall appears in Pennsylvania records beginning in the 18th century with the arrival of constellation of German immigrant families bearing the surname. Today, immigrants and descendants of those earliest immigrants live throughout the United States. The population is especially strong in the Midwest states and in pockets of the Great Plains.
The name is also found in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. Here, as elsewhere, the individuals bearing the name are mostly descendants of German immigrants or of their Canadian-born progeny.
Gottschall is also common in Australia and South Africa. This imprint has been left by waves of German immigrants who settled in these two nations in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Today, those bearing the surname are likely to be either first- or second-generation immigrants or their descendants.
Variations of the surname Gottschall
Gottschall is a German surname of various origins and spellings, from Gottschalk, Gotteschalk, Gotteschall, Götsch, Gotschall, Goverschall, Gautschall, Götschell, Goetsch, Götz, Gohtz, Göhr, Gohr, and Göhrlein.
The base form, Gottschalk, is derived from Middle High German and is composed of two elements, Got which means God, and Schalk which is an archaic term for Edge, or Servant. It literally translates into meaning "God's Servant," indicating an earlier role of servant of god or priest.
The German language is very flexible in its spelling, allowing for the evolution of the many variant names from the same root. A few examples of this include Götsch, where the letter 'o' is replaced with an umlaut, Götz, where the letter 'ch' is swapped for a 'tz', and Gohtz where it is replaced by a 'h'. An umlaut is two dots placed above a letter, traditionally telling the letter to be interpreted in a different way.
Another logical variation of the Gottschall surname takes place when the 'ch' in Gottschalk becomes 's' in Gottschall. It is simple for the 'sch' in Gottschall to become the more common 'sh' to create 'Gottshall'.
Ultimately, almost any sound which the letters of the original name can make is used as a variation. However, no matter how many transitions the name has gone through, they all derive from the same source and are all related.
Famous people with the name Gottschall
- Danielle Gottschall: Danielle is a fitness professional, Emmy-nominated choreographer, former NFL dancer, published author, nutritional coach, radio host, and former personal trainer.
- Evan A. Gottschall: Evan is a professor of organizational studies and director of choice Theory/Reality Therapy Program at the University of North Dakota.
- Kamie Gottschall: Kamie is a television journalist and former weekend anchor for KEYC-TV in Mankato, Minnesota.
- Karl Gottschall: Karl is a German backstroke swimmer who won four gold medals at the 2015 European Junior Swimming Championships.
- Kimmy Gottschall: Kimmy is a professional beach volleyball player and competitor on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.
- Tiffany Gottschall: Tiffany is a journalist and former newspaper reporter and editor in the Midwest, currently working as a freelance writer and editor.
- Kristen Gottschall: Kristen is an American business executive, author, and motivational speaker.
- Bob Gottschall: Bob is an American professional wrestler and promoter who ran Pro Wrestling USA during the 1980s.
- Mark Gottschall: Mark is an American photographer/multimedia producer, who has won four Emmy Awards.
- David Gottschall: David is a professional tennis player who competed in the 1992 Davis Cup.