Surname Gotschalk - Meaning and Origin
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Gotschalk: What does the surname Gotschalk mean?
The last name Gotschalk is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Gothschalk, which is composed of the elements "gut" meaning "God" and "scalk" meaning "servant" in Old High German. Ultimately, the name is believed to mean “God’s servant”.
Originally, Gotschalk was a patronymic surname given to the son or descendant of someone named Gothschalk. German surnames were often derived by several naming conventions, one of which was the adoption of the father's first name as a surname.
Today, the Gotschalk surname is widespread throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and the world. Many Gotschalk families have also immigrated to the United States, with the first Gotschalk immigrating in 1868. He settled in Quincy, Illinois, and his descendants spread out throughout the Midwest, especially in cities like Chicago and Detroit.
Today, the Gotschalk surname has become a symbol of the Germanic American immigrant experience. It symbolizes the journey and struggle of those who left their home country in search of a better life, and the legacy they have left behind on their new home.
Order DNA origin analysisGotschalk: Where does the name Gotschalk come from?
The last name Gotschalk is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria today. It is thought to be a German habitational name originating from the place name Gotschalksohn, which is found in several parts of Germany.
The earliest documentation of the surname dates back to 1574, when a certainiku Gotschalk was mentioned in Belethien in Pomerania. As the spread of Christianity began, records slowly started being kept of country residents. Places where the name Gotschalk have been found in records include in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen, Sachsen, Brandenburg, Pomerania, and Upper Bavaria.
The name is also found in places outside of the German-speaking world. For example, there are around 500 families with the surname Gotschalk living in the United States. Additionally, the name is present in countries such as France and Canada.
Overall, the last name Gotschalk is quite common in several German-speaking countries, as well as other countries across the globe. As technology has increased, it has become easier to do research on the distribution of surnames throughout the world, making it easier to trace the path of this name.
Variations of the surname Gotschalk
Variants and spellings of the surname Gotschalk include Gautsch, Gautschl, Gautschler, Gautschlé, Gautsch, Gauckel, Gaukel, Gauschalk, Gauß, Gausser, Gaußer, Goeschl, Göschl, Gockel, Göschel, Göschler, Goçke, Göcke, Gotchalk, Gotchkal, Goetchel, Göckel, Goetsch, Götzl, Goetzel, Gottschalk, Gottschälk, Kotchkal, Gotz, Gotzel, Gotzelmann, Gottschel, Gottschelle, Götzlaff, Goetze, Gotzmann, Gottsel, Götsche, Göze, Gotchman, Gotsche, Gotz, Götschen, Gotsch, Gose, Gocciola, Goccia, Gotchel, Gosh, Goess, Goetz, Gotschall, Gotschke, Gotschmann, and Guttsche.
German spellings of Gotschalk are Götschalk and Götschl, whereas other forms are found in Austria and other parts of Europe. The French spelling is Gautchaux, while the Hebrew spelling is Gotzovsky.
Variations of Gotschalk appear in the slang of Germany and Austria. Additional forms of the surname include Gocschel, Gotsel, Gotz, Goetzke, Gockel, and Gockelmann.
Surnames of similar origin, though not as common, include Gutschalk, Gottschalk, Gottschall, Gottsche, Gottsel, Gottesleben, Gotthard, and Gottschewer.
Famous people with the name Gotschalk
- Torsten Gotschalk: German television presenter
- Frederic Gotschalk: French theater and film actor
- Max Gotschalk: German flautist
- Robin Gotschalk: Dutch television presenter
- Johann Gotschalk: German sculptor
- Julius Gotschalk: German choral composer
- Alfred Gotschalk: British classical saxophonist
- Max von Gotschalk: German author
- Robert Gotschalk: Austrian-born American photographer
- Louis Gotschalk: American neurologist and psychiatrist