Surname Kotler - Meaning and Origin
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Kotler: What does the surname Kotler mean?
The last name Kotler is of Jewish Ashkenazi origin. The name is derived from the occupation of the original bearer of the surname, as it was an occupational name for a cart-maker or wheelwright. This occupation likely began among German-speaking Jews living in Eastern Europe sometime in the 14th century. It is thought that Kotler is also a variation of the German surname Kottler, which in its native tongue means “one who brings wheels,” which would be a perfect name for a wheelwright or cart-maker. Over time, as Jewish immigrants moved from eastern Europe to the United States and other parts of the world, the last name became more diversified, taking on many variations.
Kotler is still a common surname today among those of Jewish descent. It is an enduring reminder of the many generations of Jews in eastern Europe who followed in their father’s footsteps and made their living as wheelwrights or cart-makers. Whether it is spelled Kotler, Kottler, or one of its many other variations, this surname is a significant remnant of prosperity and perseverance of Jewish families from the past.
Order DNA origin analysisKotler: Where does the name Kotler come from?
The last name Kotler is most commonly found in the United States and Israel. It is a Jewish surname that originated in Eastern Europe.
In the United States, the last name is primarily found in New York, California, and other Northeastern and Midwestern states, with the largest concentration of Kotlers being seen in New York City. The ancestral home of the Kotler family is the Jewish community there.
The Kotler surname is also seen on both coasts in Israel with a higher concentration in Tel Aviv. As the Jewish population in Israel increased during the early 20th century due to migration from Eastern Europe, Kotler families moved to the Middle East.
Kotler is also seen in other countries like Argentina, Brazil, France, and the United Kingdom, largely as a result of more recent migrations and dispersal.
The last name is still fairly common in the regions listed above, and smaller pockets of families exist in many other countries. However, because of its Jewish heritage, the Kotler surname is more readily found in places with strong Jewish populations.
Variations of the surname Kotler
The Kotler surname originates from Germanic and Hebrew roots. Variants, spellings or surnames with similar origins include Kôtler, Kootler, Kottler and Kötter.
Kötter is the German variation of the original family name, Kotler. This surname is derived from the Old German word “kot,” meaning “basket” or “container.” Therefore, Kötter literally means “basket maker.” This fits in perfectly with the trade of basket-making, as was common during the medieval ages. It is believed that these families were originally based in the Rhineland, a historical region along the Rhine River by Germany and Belgium.
The Kottler surname is a Jewish variation of Kotler. It is thought to have derived from the Ashkenazi Jewish “Kotil,” which itself is derived from the Hebrew “Kotel,” meaning a wall or arch. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this name was given to Jews living in Germany and Poland who adopted the Kottler surname.
Kootler is another variant, which is typically found in Jewish family records from Eastern Europe. It was most likely derived from the Hebrew word “kotel,” which means wall. This could have been used in reference to the wall which protected the Jewish communities of Poland, Russia and Germany during the 1500s and 1600s. Alternatively, it could have been used to refer to the walls of the city of Jerusalem.
Finally, there is the Kôtler surname, which is used to refer to families with roots in Switzerland and the Netherlands. This variation of the family name likely derived from the Dutch word “kôter,” meaning farm. It is believed that the family originally resided in the region around the Dutch border and adopted this spelling of the name to reflect their rural lifestyle.
Famous people with the name Kotler
- Philip Kotler: One of the world's most famous marketing specialists, Philip Kotler is an American professor of international marketing at the Kellogg School of Management. He is widely considered one of the founders of modern marketing and the author of multiple books on the subject including Marketing Management and The Principles of Marketing.
- Shep Kotler: An American fashion designer, Shep Kotler is best known for his label Koton and for his work with the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, and Jimmy Choo.
- Steven Kotler: A New York Times bestselling author, Steven Kotler is an American journalist and scientist specializing in the science of flow and the intersection of technology, psychology, and neuroscience.
- Avi Kotler: An Israeli journalist, Avi Kotler is the current news editor at Israel's Channel 12 network. He is a frequent contributor to numerous radio and television discussions involving international news.
- Elie Kotler: A French filmmaker, Elie Kotler is best known for his documentary Amy Winehouse: A Final Goodbye and his experimental short film The Loneliest Cat in the World, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Marek Kotler: A Polish film director and screenwriter, Marek Kotler is best known for his 2007 drama Family of Strangers and his award-winning 2013 family comedy-drama Big Mule.
- Elinor Kotler: An Israeli composer and musician, Elinor Kotler has composed music for numerous films, TV shows, and video games. Her classical compositions have been featured in the symphonic poem It’s Not Easy Being Green and the children’s musical Fireflies.