Surname Getz - Meaning and Origin

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E. Getz

Getz: What does the surname Getz mean?

The last name Getz is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Getz” which means “goat” or “goatskin.” This surname was originally created as a name by someone who was a frequenter or owner of goats. It’s also possible that it was used as a nickname—especially if the original bearer of the name made a living from goatskin or goat hair.

Over the centuries, the surname Getz has spread to various countries, including the United States, Canada, and Israel. Getz has a variety of spellings including Geitz, Gatz, Getzs, Gitz, Gehts, and many more.

One of the most common occupations that people with the surname Getz held was that of a shearer. This could have been due to shearing sheep for their wool as well as goats for their fur. The people who held this occupation either sheared the livestock themselves or managed the labor for a higher-up.

Today, the name is not as common as it once was. Despite this, there is still a strong presence among descendants of German immigrants in the United States. Wherever people with the name Getz find themselves, the origin of the surname still holds true: goatskin and goat hair.

Getz: Where does the name Getz come from?

The last name Getz is most common in the United States, followed by Canada, Germany, Brazil, Austria, and Switzerland. In the U.S., the Getz name is concentrated primarily in the Midwest, though its presence can also be found in a handful of other states and territories, namely California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

In the Midwest, the name is particularly common in Illinois, followed by Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. According to the 2018 U.S. Census estimates, the Getz surname is the 11,309th most common surname in the United States, with an estimated 7,886 people having this name.

The earliest known ancestor of the Getz family was Johannes Getz, born in 1779 in Germany. He immigrated with his wife and four children to Pennsylvania in 1804. From Pennsylvania, the family spread to other locations in the United States and Canada.

In addition, the Getz surname can also be found in the former Soviet Union and parts of Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary. This indicates that the Getz family may have originated in these countries and later migrated to the United States and Canada.

To sum up, the Getz name is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, with a smaller presence in Germany, Brazil, Austria, Switzerland, and some other parts of Europe. It’s estimated that the name is shared by about 7,886 people in the United States. Its earliest known ancestor was Johannes Getz, born in 1779 in Germany.

Variations of the surname Getz

The surname Getz is of German origin, and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are numerous. Some of the more common variants and spellings are "Geetz," "Geets," and "Gets." Other variants include "Geitz," "Geiting," and "Gitting." Some surnames derived from the same origin include "Gates," "Gatza," "Gatzer," "Gatzbeitel," and "Gatzke."

In Germany, the surname Gätz is derived from the Middle Low German word "gäte," which can mean "porter," or "gatekeeper." The Lower German variants of the surname are "Gäts," "Gätz," and "Gätzke."

In Switzerland, variants of the name include "Getschin" and "Gitschins," both derived from the German word "Gitsch," which could mean "hostel." Variants of the surname in Austria often have the suffix "-l," such as "Gätzl," and may have evolved from the word "Gät," meaning "goat."

Less common variants of the surname include "Gatsch," "Gaisch," "Gaischwer," "Gaischweb," and "Getschinbauer." Variants of the surname in the United States may be derived from "Gatz," which may have been a German nickname for someone who tended goats.

Variants of the surname in other countries may have derived from corruption of the name 'Gates', developed from the German occupation of England in the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Getz

• Stan Getz (1927-1991): Legend jazz saxophonist who is also known for his “cool jazz” sound. He was known for his collaborations with musicians such as Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Charlie Byrd.
• George Getz (1902-1984): Also known as “Golden George,” he was a jazz musician who was part of the “Hot Jazz” movement and was known for his work with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.
• Lou Getz (1919-1966): Also known as “Struttin’ Lou,” he was a jazz singer and pianist. He was known for his work with Paul Whiteman, Lucky Millinder, and Benny Goodman.
• Thelonious Getz (1926-2006): A jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was known for his work with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Benny Carter.
• Jenny Getz (1965-present): A jazz vocalist and music educator who has released four critically acclaimed albums of her own and performing with fellow jazz musicians.
• Neil Getz (1974-present): Musician known for playing the tenor saxophone with bands such as Cowboy Junkies and the Cab Fairies.
• Jamie Getz (1960-present): Jazz double-bassist known for performing in Europe and the United States.
• Alexander Getz (1948-present): Jazz singer, composer, and arranger best known for the albums "Me & My Piano” and “Live in Copenhagen.”

Other surnames

GetchallGeterGetersGetferdtGetfertGetmanGetmannGetreuGetreuerGetrostGetsGetselGetsmanGetsmannGettesmanGettingsGettisGettkandtGettmanGettmannGettsmanGettsmannGetzeGetzelGetzkeGetzlaffGetzmanGetzmann