Surname Püttker - Meaning and Origin
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Püttker: What does the surname Püttker mean?
The last name Püttker is of German origin, derived from the Old German words "püt" and "ker" which mean "well" and "keeper". Thus, the literal meaning of the name is "guardian of the well," and it likely refers to a person who was responsible for tending to, and guarding, a public well. This would have been an important job in older societies, as public wells were often the centre of their communities.
The name Püttker is first documented in Germany around the year 1285. This suggests that the family was among the many that shaped German culture in the Middle Ages. Today, the name is still quite common across Germany, along with a number of spelling variations, including Puettker, Puettcher, and Pütcher.
The family behind the Püttker name symbolize the long story of German history, from medieval times to the present day. The name reminds one of the importance of not only managing resources but also building bridges between people. It is a testament to the spirit of cooperation and inclusion that has been fundamental in crafting the fabric of modern Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisPüttker: Where does the name Püttker come from?
The last name Püttker is a German patronymic surname, derived from the given name Puttko, with the suffix "-er" added. The name is most commonly found in northwestern Germany, especially in Lower Saxony, although it can also be found in other German-speaking regions. The last name is also seen in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Denmark.
In German-speaking countries, the given name Puttko is derived from the Old High German word "putt" (meaning a young man) or "pot" (meaning a tournament for young men). It is possible that members of the bearer's family were tournament champions in the Middle Ages and thus the name represents an inherited title. Alternatively, the name may simply be a nickname for a young man who was particularly strong, athletic, or ambitious.
Today, the last name Püttker is most common in the German states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. It can also be found in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Denmark.
The frequency of occurrence of the name Püttker in the lower Saxon region of Germany is rather low compared to other regions (e.g. North Rhine-Westphalia), with about 0.0002% of population bearing the name. In comparison, it is slightly more rare than the German name Müller in Lower Saxony.
Variations of the surname Püttker
The surname Püttker originated from Germany and derives from the Middle High German word butteskere, meaning "rope maker." Throughout the centuries this surname has evolved many different spellings and variants such as:
Puettker – This is the most common spelling of the name which is found mostly in Germany and the United States.
Püttker – This spelling is found mostly in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Puetheker – This spelling combines the first two letters of Puettker.
Puttkammer – This is a spelling variation found in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Putterkammer – This spelling is also primarily seen in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Puetker – This is a variation of the name which is found mostly in the United States.
Bugde – This is a form of the name derived from Püttker, which is used in Germany.
Putzker – This spelling is a common variant of the name.
Puetzke – This is another variant of the name found mostly in the United States.
Pottker – This is a common spelling in the United States.
PutKer – This is a rare spelling of the name, but is found sometimes in the United States.
Putzke – A combination of Put and Zke is a variant of the name.
Pudke – This spelling is found in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Puttkamer – This is another variant of the name, which is primarily used in the United States.
These are the many variants, spellings and surnames associated with the Püttker surname. The many different forms demonstrate the evolution of the name throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Püttker
- Antje Püttker: An environmental activist and German radio host.
- Axel-Willi Püttker: A former East German television author and screenwriter.
- Martin Püttker: A German barrister and arbitrator who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019.
- Katja Püttker: A German opera singer who has held several notable roles in Europe.
- Jessica Püttker: A German discus thrower who won the Junior European Championship in 2014.
- Georg Püttker: A former German footballer who made 44 appearances for the FC Plauen in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Michael Püttker: A German pensioner and former businessman who was sentenced to life in prison for poisoning his wife with arsenic.
- Rainer Püttker: The former CEO and chairman of the German department store company Karstadt.
- Ralf Püttker: A former German handball player who is the current President of the Handball-Bundesliga.
- Sören Püttker: A German composer, pianist, and former correspondent for the BBC and the Guardian.