Surname Große-Kettler - Meaning and Origin
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Große-Kettler: What does the surname Große-Kettler mean?
The last name Große-Kettler is derived from two German words, 'Große' and 'Kettler'. 'Große' is a German word meaning 'large' or 'great', while 'Kettler' is a German occupational name for a barkeeper or tapster. Taken together, the name Große-Kettler literally means "large tapster" or "great barkeeper".
The origin of the name likely dates back to the middle ages when barkeeps freshly tapped beer or wine from large barrels. During this time, it would have been important for a barkeep to be tall so he or she could reach the bottom of a tall barrel and they likely would have needed to have a great degree of strength in order to operate the tap. Thus, the fact that someone with the name Große-Kettler may have had a large stature and good physical strength could explain why the last name was adopted.
Today, Große-Kettler is a common last name in both Germany and Austria. It is likely that some people with the name have distant relatives who were once barkeeps or tapsters, or perhaps this last name was simply adopted through generations because those who adopted it recognized its traditional and respected meaning. Additionally, some may have also adopted the last name Große-Kettler to honor their ancestors and the profession for which they were known. Regardless of its exact origin, this last name is a reminder of traditional German craftsmanship and of the hardworking people it takes to make a living by operating a bar.
Order DNA origin analysisGroße-Kettler: Where does the name Große-Kettler come from?
The surname Große-Kettler is a German and Dutch surname that still exists today. The German words for this name mean "large Kettler" and is likely derived from a place name that used to be near the Kettler family's original residence. The origin of the name itself is likely Germanic, but the exact origin of the surname is unknown.
The Große-Kettler surname is most widely found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, particularly in southern Germany, the Netherlands, and western Austria. It is also common among German immigrants to the United States, Canada, and other countries.
In some countries, such as Canada, the United States, and some countries in South America, the surname has undergone a process of Anglicization, with spelling variations such as "Gross-Kettler" or "Grosskettler". In other countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, the original spelling of “Große-Kettler” is still used.
Though it is uncertain where the Große-Kettler surname originated, records indicate that the surname existed as early as the 11th or 12th century in Germany and has been passed down through the generations in certain regions of Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and other countries. Out of those regions, the surname is still most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium where the family’s original residence was located.
Variations of the surname Große-Kettler
Große-Kettler is a Germanic surname with several variant spellings and alternate surnames that derive from it. Common spellings of the name include Gross-Kettler, Groß-Kettler, Gross Köttler, Köttler, and Kötter. In some cases, the Germanic “-e” has been replaced with an “-a”, Kaeettler, Kettlera, and Köttlera. The name is also seen as Ketter, Kettering, Ketteler and Kettler.
The origin of the name comes from the Germanic words “gross” and “kettle”. Kettle is derived from the Germanic words “kol” or “koll” meaning cauldron. Thus, the surname Große-Kettler translates loosely to “Large Kettle” or “Large Cauldron”. It likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a metal smith, or blacksmith, who worked with large ovens and “kettles” or “cauldrons”.
The name is associated with several variations, derivatives and spellings, including Gross-Kettler, Gross Kötter, Köttler, Kötter, Kaeettler, Kettlera, Köttlera, Ketter, Kettering, Ketteler and Kettler. These surnames may point to the same origin, but it is possible that some are derived from other geographical, cultural, or occupational sources. It is best to research the origin of individual families for more specific information.
Famous people with the name Große-Kettler
- Henrique von Große-Kettler (1877-1965), German Imperial Army officer, war veteran, recipient of the Pour le Mérite.
- Augustus von Große-Kettler (1790-1871), a German nobility who served as Minister-President of East Prussia.
- Detlev von Große-Kettler (1877-1947), a German diplomat in Imperial and Weimar Republic eras.
- Irma von Große-Kettler (1904-1991), activist and suffragette in the Weimar Republic.
- Heinrich von Große-Kettler (1816-1897), Prussian court chamberlain.
- Franz von Große-Kettler (1845-1898), a German noble.
- Anna von Große-Kettler (1843-1934), a Jewish convert to Christianity and wife of Heinrich von Große-Kettler.
- Elisabetha von Große-Kettler (1796-1863), a German noble who married into the house of Mayo.
- Olga von Große-Kettler (1876-1939), a German poet.
- Dr. Hans-Joachim von Große-Kettler (born 1941), a German industrialist and automotive CEO.