Surname Lettau - Meaning and Origin
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Lettau: What does the surname Lettau mean?
The last name Lettau is of German origin, and it is derived from the German word "Lette", which means "branch". This surname was likely given to someone either from a family who lived in a small hamlet, which was located near a branch of a river or a large tree, or to someone who worked in a trade or profession associated with branches of trees.
Historically, the Lettau surname was found primarily in German regions such as Saxony and Thuringia. It is believed to have been brought to the United States by immigrants in the late nineteenth century. In the United States, the Lettau surname is associated primarily with the states of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
The Lettau surname first arose in the thirteenth century and the first recorded instances of a person bearing this name was Konrad Lettau, who lived in Thuringia in 1299.
Today, there are many people who carry the Lettau surname either as descendants of the original bearer of the name or as immigrants to the United States. It is most commonly found in German-American communities. The people who carry the Lettau surname are proud of their heritage and are connected by their shared history.
Order DNA origin analysisLettau: Where does the name Lettau come from?
The last name Lettau is relatively common across Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In Germany, the Lettau family is deeply rooted in the history of Schleswig-Holstein and has a presence as far back as the early 16th century. In Austria, the surname appears in the 19th century with the birth of Johannes Lettau and is a popular last name in the country today.
In the Netherlands, the surname is found in the 18th century and has since spread its influence throughout the country, especially in the provinces of Limburg and Utrecht. Outside of Europe, the surname is most common in the United States and Canada. On a worldwide scale, it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 individuals with the Lettau surname.
In the United States, the surname is most popular in the states of California, Florida, and Texas and is likely most commonly used as a result of the high rate of immigration into the country from other parts of Europe. In Canada, the last name is most common in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, where it was likely brought by French-Canadian settlers in the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Lettau is a relatively common one throughout Europe and North America. Its influence has stretched far across the continents, cultivated by its links to the past, its strong family tradition, and its uniting bond of shared ancestry.
Variations of the surname Lettau
The surname Lettau is a Germanic name derived from the German word "Lotte." It is also sometimes seen as Letteau, Latau, Latteau, Lotze, Lotzeau, Leutge, Lette and Laute.
The most common spelling of Lettau is Letteau, found primarily in Germany and other regions of Central and Eastern Europe. Similarly, the surname Lotze or Lotzeau is also seen in Germany and Austria. The spelling Leutge is sometimes used in modern Germany.
In France, the surname is often spelled Latau or Latteau. It can also be found occasionally as Lotteau, an uncommon spelling seen primarily in the southwestern region of the country.
In the Netherlands, the surnames Lettau and Lette are found. The former is predominantly seen in the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant.
In the United States, immigrants with the surname Lettau used many spellings, including Letteau, Lotze and Leutge. These immigrants were mostly from Germany.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is typically spelled Letteau and Lette. Additionally, the name Latteau is commonly seen in areas with former French settlers, particularly in Cornwall.
In Canada, the surname Leutge is common amongst immigrants of German origin. Other spellings such as Letteau and Lotteau may also be found.
Overall, the surname Lettau is often seen in various permutations, due to regional differences and migration patterns throughout the world. Most of the variants can be traced back to a single origin, however, which is the Germanic word "Lotte."
Famous people with the name Lettau
- Greg Lettau, American pastor, author and teacher
- Elina Lettau, German-Finnish singer and songwriter
- Karoline Lettau, German novelist and professor
- Angelo Lettau, German-Italian biostatistician and mathematician
- Wolfgang Lettau, German rugby union player
- Jorg Lettau, German food chemist
- Stephen Lettau, American surgeon and academic
- Dino Lettau, German rower
- Tristan Lettau, German volleyball player
- Marina Lettau, German cross-country skier