Surname Voigtländer - Meaning and Origin

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G. Voigtländer

Voigtländer: What does the surname Voigtländer mean?

The last name Voigtländer is a German surname originating out of several different regions in Germany. The name has roots in both the Middle Ages as well as the modern era, as it is derived from either the German words 'Voigt’ (foreman) or 'Länder’ (nation, country). The spelling of this name has changed slightly over time (Vogtlander, Vogtländer) but the overall meaning behind it remains relatively the same.

In the Middle Ages, the Voigtlander family was part of the medieval German aristocracy, serving as chiefs of local law and order in their respective regions. The Voigtlander family also served as bailiffs and administrators of judicial and economic affairs, as well as stewards of land owned by royalty. This role gave them power and influence, particularly over time.

In modern times, Voigtländer is a popular surname, with many of its roots preserved in other places around Europe, especially in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. In certain areas in the United States, the Voigtländer surname has been popularized for its connection to the original family’s strong sense of justice.

The Voigtländer name is a reminder of the strong legacy of admiration and respect among German people, even hundreds of years later. It is a reminder of an influential family whose name has survived through many generations, and whose surname continues to be honored within German culture.

Voigtländer: Where does the name Voigtländer come from?

The last name Voigtländer is an old German name, most commonly found in the region of Germany formerly known as East Prussia. In East Prussia, the geographical area known today as northern Poland and western Russia, the name Voigtländer was once prevalent. Today, the majority of known Voigtländer families still live in East Prussia’s former territories, including parts of modern-day Russia, Poland, and Lithuania.

The last name Voigtländer can also be found throughout other parts of Germany and Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Voigtländers in these regions havedistinguished themselves in the world of academia, sport, and politics.

The United States also has a significant number of Voigtländers; records from the 2010 U.S. census indicate that more than 8,000 people have that last name. Most Voigtländer families living in the US are thought to have migrated from East Prussia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (around the time of World War I).

The spread of the last name Voigtländer is likely mostly due to the German diaspora of the past centuries. It stands as a reminder of an old German name that has managed to survive and thrive in different parts of the world despite immense challenges.

Variations of the surname Voigtländer

The surname Voigtländer is a Germanic surname that originates from the Middle High German word, Vogt, meaning "power or authority". Variations of this surname include Voigtlander, Vogtlander, and Vogtland. The spelling Voigtländer is mostly used in German-speaking areas, with Voigtlander and Vogtlander as the preferred spellings in English-speaking areas.

The surname Voigtländer is also commonly found in regions such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Other regional variations include Voigtländer, Voigtlaender, and Vogtlender in Austria; Voigtland, Voigtlander, and Voigtlender in Switzerland; and Voigtland, Voigtleender, and Vogelander in the Netherlands.

Those with the surname Voigtländer often have ancestral roots in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, and many families emigrated to overseas countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. This gave rise to new variations in spelling such as Voigtlander, Voigtlanderin, Vogtlanter, and Vogtlanding in the United States; and Voigtlânder and Vogtlande in Canada.

The Voigtländer surname is also found in other parts of Europe, including France, Spain, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Variations among these countries include Vojtek, Vajcik, and Voitek in Poland; and Voitklandr and Fojtek in the Czech Republic.

In conclusion, the surname Voigtländer has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. From its beginnings in the Middle High German word Vogt, the surname has spread to other parts of the world, giving rise to regional spellings and surnames of local origins.

Famous people with the name Voigtländer

• Maria Voigtländer: German businesswoman, athlete and mountain climber who completed a human-powered expedition from Germany to India.
• Carl Wilhelm Voigtländer: 19th-century German painter, author, and founder of the Voigtländer company.
• Walther Voigtländer: John Voigtländer's grandson who became one of the leading European photographic manufacturers of the 19th century.
• Joseph August Voigtländer: German goldsmith who founded the Voigtlander & Son Company in 1756.
• Kaspar Friedrich Voigtländer: German optical engineer who worked as a consultant for Zeiss.
• John Voigtländer: German optician and industrialist who took over the Voigtländer photo manufacturing business from his father in 1880.
• Maria Voigtländer-Mongel: German photographer, artist, and author who exhibited her works in Vienna in the 1930s.
• Bernhard Wilhelm Voigtländer: German composer and organist, known for his compositions for the organ and his oratorio Passion According to St. Matthew.
• Elisabeth Voigtländer: German neurologist and psychiatrist who documented the first cases of multiple sclerosis.
• Wilhelm Voigtländer: Member of the Philosophical faculty of the University of Berlin and proponent of scientific psychology.

Other surnames

Voigtland