Surname Kottwitz - Meaning and Origin
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Kottwitz: What does the surname Kottwitz mean?
The last name Kottwitz is a German surname believed to have originated in the late Middle Ages, during a period known as the Ashkenazi dispersal. The name is derived from the German word “kot” which means “mattress” or “felt.”
The occupation of those who took on this surname during this time was likely related to the fabric business. Wool and other fabrics were heavily traded in major hubs like Frankfurt, and those who took on the name likely made their living by producing, trading, and selling high quality fabrics and furs.
Kottwitz is likely an occupational surname, and may also be derived from a nickname associated with fabric trade. Those with the surname were likely known as “Kottwitzer,” which is thought to have been a term used to describe someone who was good at manipulating fabric.
The Kottwitz surname has roots in Eastern European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Poland. It remains a common surname within these regions today. While many Kottwitz’s remain in Europe, some have immigrated around the world, particularly to the United States.
Kottwitz is a surname that evokes history, and is representative of the industrious nature of those who produced and sold fabric. For centuries, people with the Kottwitz surname have made their living from fabric trade - an industry that has since been greatly modernized but still remains a key aspect of the global economy.
Order DNA origin analysisKottwitz: Where does the name Kottwitz come from?
The last name Kottwitz is most commonly found in the area around the city of Dresden in Germany and its surrounding towns. Kottwitz is the 9,089th most common surname in Germany and has been used for generations by families from the area.
The earliest known use of the name was by brothers Heinrich and Johann Kottwitz, who lived in the city of Dresden during the sixteenth century. The name was likely derived from the German word kottwitz, which refers to a clear space in a forest, most likely because it was associated with the forested area around Dresden.
Since its appearance, the name Kottwitz has moved around Germany, especially to the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, and Nuremberg. It has also spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, the last name Kottwitz can be found mainly in eater states, with the highest concentration in Florida, Texas, and Illinois. American Kottwitzes are largely descendants of German immigrants who moved to the States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Throughout its centuries of history, the name Kottwitz has been closely associated with the city of Dresden and its surrounding area. Though scattered across Germany and North America, those who carry the Kottwitz surname can trace their roots back to a deep and proud heritage in the German region.
Variations of the surname Kottwitz
The surname Kottwitz has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The main spellings of the surname Kottwitz are spelling variations of the name Kottwitz, which include Kotwitz, Cottwitz, Kottwiz, Kottwicz, Kotwicz, Kottwitz and Kottwits. The surnames are also spelled with slight variations, such as Kottwitzen, Kottviz, Kottvits, or Cottwitzen.
In Germany, many of the variations appear to originate from the northern city of Bremen, although some of them may be derived from the Silesian province of Brandenburg. Kottwitz is also found in northern Germany, Denmark, and the former Polish city of Poznan.
The surname is often accompanied by a variety of suffixes in Germany, such as -mann, -meier, -bach, -dster, and -doy. This may be in reference to a particular aspect of the familly or an occupation or location (eg: Kottwitzmann - a man from Kottwitz).
Variants of the surname Kottwitz include Cotvitz, Kaytwotz, Kotwitz, Kotetwitz, Kottwitzen, Kottytz, Kudwitz, Kudvitz, Kudtwitz, Kudtswitz, Kuttwitz and Cottwitz.
Some northern and eastern German variations on the name include Gutwitz, Guttswitz, Guttwitz, Gottswitz, Guthwitz, Goetwitz, Godwitz, Gedwitz, Gedvitz, and Gedtwitz.
In other countries, like Austria, the surname is spelled Kottwitzei. In the United States, some families use the spelling Kottvitz, while in other countries such as the UK, there is the spelling Cottwiitz.
The surnames Kotwoz, Kotwitz, Kotwicz, Kottwitz, Kotwitz and Kottwicz, as well as their variants, are all derived from the same source, and can all be traced back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kottwitz
- Vivian Kottwitz: American author and nonfiction writer. Her work includes books focusing on space exploration, environmental protection, and world cultures.
- Katie Kottwitz: Television personality, producer, and entrepreneur. She hosted the hit US game show "Deal or No Deal," and she is the owner of her own production company, Kottwitz Media, which produces reality television series.
- Ray Kottwitz: Former professional American baseball player. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox during the 1950's and 1960's.
- Paul Kottwitz: German painter and sculptor active in Munich during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is most known for his neoclassical compositions featuring architectural elements.
- Dorothy Kottwitz: American politician who served in the Florida state legislature from 1976 to 2002. During her tenure, she was a progressive voice for public education and environmental conservation.
- Liesel Kottwitz: German actress who has had a prolific career in film and television. Her most notable appearances include roles in German comedies such as "Die Kochquiz Gewinner" and "Estate Agents to the Stars."
- Chris Kottwitz: American architect and urban designer known for his inventive use of sustainable and innovative materials. His designs have transformed the skylines of several major US cities, including Chicago, New York, and Seattle.