Surname Kortgen - Meaning and Origin

Kortgen: What does the surname Kortgen mean?

The last name Kortgen is a German surname that originated from the old German word kort, meaning "short". This could refer to a number of different things such as someone who was short in stature, a place that was shorter or smaller than usual, or even a last name derived from a particular profession, such as a tailor or seamstress.

It's possible that this last name also originated due to people who lived along a short stretch of land. In medieval times, many families took on a hereditary surname derived from their place of residence, and Kortgen would fit this description. It could also be derived from a nickname, korrt, meaning "quick", which could have been used in reference to someone's agility or speed.

Kortgen is not a common surname, but it is seen mainly in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is quite likely that many people who bear this surname were part of a larger family that was spread out across various areas of Germany or other nearby countries.

Kortgen may seem like a unique last name, but it likely has a deep history behind it. It could be derived from a number of different sources, from specific places, occupations, and descriptive nicknames, each of which can tell us a little about someone's past.

Kortgen: Where does the name Kortgen come from?

The last name Kortgen is most commonly found in Germany in today's era. It is a very ancient German last name that has been in use since the Middle Ages.

The Kortgen surname is most commonly found in German-speaking countries. In Germany alone, there are over 500 people who have the Kortgen surname. It is also found in small numbers in neighboring countries like Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.

In more recent times, some members of the Kortgen family have emigrated to North America, such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here, the surname is much less common but there are still many people who carry the Kortgen name.

The origin of the Kortgen name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with the earliest recorded usage dating from 1228. The origin of the name is thought to be from an old German personal name, “Kort,” meaning short, or “kornet,” meaning crescent-shaped, implying a person of short stature or with a curved face.

The Kortgen family can be found in various parts of Europe and North America, but they are primarily concentrated throughout German-speaking countries and their descendants.

Variations of the surname Kortgen

The surname Kortgen is most commonly spelt with one "t", as in Kortgen. It is derived from the German or Dutch word "Kortge", meaning "short". It is also occasionally seen spelt as Kortjen and Kortgena, though both of these spellings are relatively rare. A variant is also seen in the spelling Kortegen, though this is even rarer than the previous variants.

Kortgen is also seen under a variety of other, related surnames, primarily from German-speaking countries. These include Kortengen, Kortenkamp, Kortejak, Kortekamp, Kortege, Kortemeyer, Kortenjak, Kortengert, Kortengel and Kortene. Some of these variations refer to specific regions or dialects, while others are simply derived from versions of the original surname that have become popular over time.

There may also be additional surnames that could be connected to the Kortgen surname depending on region. For example, in Germany and some Eastern European countries, the same etymology will produce variations such as Kortzig, Kortzy, Kortzyg, and Korting, amongst others.

In summary, Kortgen is a surname with numerous variants, spellings, and related surnames. The most common variation is Kortgen, though even this can vary depending on region. The related surnames Kortengen, Kortenkamp, Kortejak, Kortekamp, Kortege, Kortemeyer, Kortenjak, Kortengert, Kortengel, and Kortene can also be seen. Additional surnames with the same etymology, such as Kortzig, Kortzy, Kortzyg, and Korting may also be found depending on region.

Famous people with the name Kortgen

• Anke Kortgen (German football player)
• Kirsten Kortgen (German Paralympics participant)
• Jens Kortgen (German lawyer and entrepreneur)
• Manfred Kortgen (German entrepreneur)
• Peter Kortgen (German historian)
• Lucien Kortgen (Belgian critic and editor)
• Justus Kortgen (German university professor)
• Iris Kortgen (German actress)
• Monika Kortgen (German radio presenter)
• Manfred Kortgen (German television presenter)

Other surnames

KortgeKörtge