Surname Kött - Meaning and Origin
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Kött: What does the surname Kött mean?
The last name Kött is a Swedish surname, derived from the Old Norse words kottr (stubborn) and köttr (cat). It has several possible meanings, but the most commonly accepted are "stubborn cat" or "stubborn one".
The surname has its roots in the Old Norse language, which was spoken in Scandinavia and the Northern Isles of Britain until the end of the Viking Age in the 11th century. The name Kött is believed to have first been used as a nickname or surname for someone who was particularly stubborn, or possibly one who had a penchant for keeping cats.
The surname is quite rare, most commonly found in Sweden and in other countries with Swedish populations. Its use as a given name is even more rare and is primarily found among the Swedish populations in the United States.
Due to the scarcity of records prior to the 18th century, it is difficult to ascertain the exact origin and meaning of the surname. However, it can be assumed that the name has something to do with its definition of someone being stubborn or having an affinity for cats. Given the longevity of the name, it can be reasonably assumed that it has its roots deep in Scandinavian culture and folklore.
Order DNA origin analysisKött: Where does the name Kött come from?
The last name Kött is commonly found today in regions of western and central Europe like Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Norway. It is also found throughout the United States and Canada, where many immigrants from these countries have settled.
In Germany, the name Kött is concentrated in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt and is among the 100 most common last names. In Austria, Kött is most commonly found in the northern state of Styria. In Sweden and Norway, the name is widespread, with Kött listed among the 500 most common surnames in both countries.
In the United States, Kött is found in large numbers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, in line with the large Scandinavian population in those states. It is particularly common among the Amish population, descendants of German and Swiss settlers. In Canada, the name is also widely distributed and is most prevalent in eastern provinces from British Columbia to Quebec.
Kött is an ancient Germanic name, first found in the 8th century in documents from the Germanic tribes who settled in the area of modern Germany. It is thought to have originated in the Proto-Norse language and possibly refers to a type of animal. Today, the name is still carried by people living in western and central Europe as well as in North America.
Variations of the surname Kött
The most common variant of the surname Kött is Koett. Spellings and variants of this surname may also include Kott, Ködt, Kottl, Köttel, Köttle, Köttelmann, Köttelmacher, Köttner, and Köth.
In some cases, the name is also seen as Kőtt or Kótt, which reflects the initial letter in German or Hungarian using the diacritical mark. Later generations may have abandoned this spelling in favour of the more phonetic Koett.
The surname could also have evolved from Köttler or Kötter, which are occupational surnames derived from the German verb koten, meaning ‘to clean’, this was most likely used as a nickname for a cleaner, then eventually became a surname.
When speaking of Jewish heritage, this surname is usually found spelled Kottel. This is derived from the Yiddish word kotel meaning ‘bag’ or ‘pocket’ and is likely to have been used as a nickname for someone who was known for carrying a bag or a pocket.
The surnames Koth and Kothe are also derived from similar roots. It’s believed that these alternative spellings were used in North America by someone who had mainly interacted with English-speaking immigrants, as Koth and Kothe are much more phonetically similar to the English word ‘coat’.
Regardless of how the surname was spelled or varied, all of these surnames were most likely derived from an occupation, nickname, or personal name, as opposed to being related to a location or area of origin.
Famous people with the name Kött
- Philip Kött: Swedish writer and journalist.
- Erika Kött: German-born American journalist.
- Tobias Kött: German singer-songwriter and musician.
- August Kött: Swedish artist known for his landscapes and seascapes.
- Johannes Kött: German writer and historian.
- Ferdinand Kött: German architect focusing on Art Nouveau and Jugendstil (Dutch Art Nouveau) styles.
- Emil Kött: Swedish cavalry officer and industrialist.
- Hartwig Kött: German architect from East Prussia.
- Wilhelm Kött: German politician, lawyer, and landowner from Darkehmen.
- Christian Kött: Austrian lawyer and politician.
- Wilhelm Kött: German actor and theatre director from Breslau.
- Wilhelm Kött: German mathematician and physicist.
- Bernhard Kött: German army sergeant in World War I.
- Amanda Kött: Swedish actress and singer.
- Heinrich Kött: German Roman Catholic Priest and naturalist.
- Beatrice Kött: Czech-Austrian writer and animal rights activist.
- Olga Kött: German translator and writer from Muschwitz.
- Robert Kött: Austrian referee who officiated swimming and lifesaving events.
- Margarete Kött: German gardener from Neumarkt.
- Johanna Kött: Austrian music teacher and humanitarian.