Surname Koertge - Meaning and Origin

Koertge: What does the surname Koertge mean?

The last name Koertge is of German and Dutch origin, deriving from the German name Gerhardt, meaning "spear strong". It is generally accepted that the name is derived from the ancient family of Gerhard or Gerard de Korte, which goes back to as early as the 12th century.

In the Middle Ages, in Europe, high-ranked people often took on an extra name in addition to their first name. This extra name often referred to the place they resided in, where they were born and bred, or even a place where their ancestors originate from. This was done as a way to honor and identify the person and their origin. This is particularly true for the Koertge surname, which is believed to reference a location of origin.

The location which the Koertge surname most likely comes from is Korte, Holland, an area near the Dutch-German border in the Gelderland province. It could also originate from the nearby province of Limburg, which also borders Germany. Regardless of the exact location however, all family members with the Koertge surname can trace their roots to this area.

Today, the surname Koertge can be seen throughout the United States and Europe. It is a unique and often uncommon name, spoken proudly by it’s descendants. Those who carry the Koertge surname can be proud to have such a deep and rich history behind their name, which could stretch beyond seven centuries, and connect them to an untapped past.

Koertge: Where does the name Koertge come from?

The last name Koertge is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is believed to be of Dutch origin, although its literal meaning is “pot fire”, which suggests a German origin. The name is found all over the country, especially in the North. It is most common in the provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland, Gelderland, Zeeland, Overijssel, and also in Limburg and Groningen.

The name is also prevalent in Dutch immigrants across the United States, particularly in the Midwest and California. Dutch emigration to the US began in the 1600s, and those with the surname Koertge were among the pioneers. Today, many Koertge descendents live in the US and can trace their roots to the Dutch settlers.

The surname Koertge is also found in parts of Europe, Canada, and Australia. Though the surname is not widespread, the number of people bearing the name has grown considerably over the past few centuries.

The surname Koertge is a reminder of our Dutch heritage and the many immigrants who set sail in search of a better life. Regardless of where one lives today, the legacy of the Koertge family remains alive.

Variations of the surname Koertge

The surname Koertge, sometimes spelled Coertge, is of Frisian-German and Dutch origin. It can also be found in a variety of other spellings such as Kirtge, Koortge, Kortego, Kortger, Koetghe, Cortge, Gortge, Gortgo, Kohrge, Courtois, and Coerte.

The etymology of the name suggests “guardian” or “custodian”. The Germanic element “Kurt”, meaning to protect or defend, combined with the suffix "Ge," which also means to protect, is thought to be the source of the surname. The original root form of the surname, Korger, can trace its roots to northern Germany, likely in the Frisian coastal area.

Recognised Dutch variants of the surname are Kortge, Koortge, and Koertge. Koortge has been particularly common as a place name, mostly in the Dutch provinces of North and South Holland.

In Germany, the surname Koertge is mainly found in the western and northern regions. It has also appeared in East Prussia and Silesia.

In America, the surname is mainly found in the states of New York, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It is likely the surname was brought to the United States during the nineteenth century's immigration waves.

The most common variant of the surname is Cortez. It is mostly associated with the Spanish-speaking population in the United States, and variants can also be found in other countries such as Portugal, Mexico, and Argentina.

The surname is also commonly encountered in its French variant of Courtois. This is most likely a spelling adopted by French Huguenots from the sixteenth century, as Huguenots commonly anglicised the Germanic “Kortge/Koertge” to the French “Courtois” upon their arrival to France.

Famous people with the name Koertge

• Ron Koertge: American poet who contributes to children's literature, both in poetry and in novels.
• Henrik Koertge: Swedish retired football player, best known for his time at Swedish club Helsingborgs IF.
• Ulf Koertge: German artist based in Berlin, whose work mainly consists of paintings, installations, and sculptural ceramics.
• Olav Koertge: Norwegian actor who starred in several movies and television series throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
• Theodor Koertge: Swedish mathematician who made major contributions to mathematical analysis and theoretical physics in the early twentieth century.
• Paul Koertge: American academic and professor at DePauw University who wrote several books on postmodern philosophy.
• Stephen Koertge: American professor of philosophy at Ohio State University and author of several books on the philosophy of science.
• Chris Koertge: Australian former professional cricketer who played for both Middlesex and Tasmania.
• Hans Koertge: Dutch former bobsledder who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

KoertgenKoertke