NomOrigine Background

Last Name Botha

What is the origin of the last name Botha?

The surname Botha has Dutch origins and is derived from the given name Botho, which means "messenger" or "helper." This surname is common in South Africa, particularly among Afrikaners, who are descendants of Dutch settlers. It is also found in Namibia and Botswana.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Botha

The meaning and origin of the last name Botha

Botha is a surname of Dutch origin, derived from the given name Bote, which was a common name in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. The name Botha comes from the Dutch word "boedhe" meaning command or order, indicating that the original bearer of the name may have been a person of authority or leadership. The surname Botha is most commonly found in South Africa, where it was brought by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. Over time, the name has become widespread among Afrikaner families in South Africa and is now a common surname in the country. The Botha family is well-known in South African history, with several prominent figures bearing the name, including former President P.W. Botha.

Geographical distribution of the last name Botha

The surname Botha is primarily found in South Africa, with the highest concentration in the Gauteng province. It is a common surname among the Afrikaner population in the country, with many prominent individuals bearing this name. Additionally, there is also a significant presence of the surname Botha in Namibia, particularly among the white population. The name is believed to have originated from Dutch and is often associated with the Boer settlers who migrated to the southern African region in the 17th and 18th centuries. There are also smaller pockets of individuals with the surname Botha in other countries with historical ties to the Dutch colonial era, such as Australia and New Zealand. Overall, the geographical distribution of the surname Botha reflects the migration patterns of Dutch settlers and their descendants throughout the southern hemisphere.

Variants and spellings of the last name Botha

Some variations and spellings of the last name Botha include Both, Bootha, Bothe, Bote, Bothra, Bothar, Butha, Buth, Buth, Bota, Boetha, Botha, and Botah. These variations may differ depending on the region or country, as well as the individual family's preference for spelling. The name Botha is of South African origin and is a common surname among Afrikaners, particularly those of Dutch descent. It is believed to have been derived from the Old Dutch word "bootha" meaning "a height" or "a hill." The variations and spellings of the surname Botha may have evolved over time as the family migrated or as different branches of the family tree adopted different spellings.

Famous people with the last name Botha

One of the most famous people with the last name Botha is PW Botha, who was the president of South Africa from 1978 to 1984. Botha was a key figure in the apartheid regime and pursued a policy of "total strategy" to combat internal and external threats to the government. Another notable figure with the last name Botha is Roelof Botha, a South African-born American venture capitalist and former CFO of PayPal. Botha has been involved in numerous successful technology investments and is known for his strategic insight and expertise in the tech industry. Overall, the Botha family name has left a significant mark in the realms of politics, business, and technology.

Genealogical research on the last name Botha

The surname Botha is of Dutch origin and is believed to have originated from the medieval given name Bode, meaning messenger or envoy. The name has a long history in South Africa, particularly among the Afrikaner population, with several prominent figures bearing the surname. The genealogical research of the Botha name traces back to the arrival of settlers from the Netherlands in the 17th century, who played a significant role in the establishment of the Cape Colony. Over the years, the Botha family has branched out and spread across South Africa, with many individuals contributing to various sectors of society. Today, the name Botha remains a common surname in South Africa and holds a rich ancestral heritage for those who bear it.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Botana (Last name)

surnames > botana

The last name "Botana" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "botón," which means "button" in Spanish.

Bote gozum (Last name)

surnames > bote-gozum

The last name "Bote Gozum" appears to have origins in the Philippines, specifically in the region of Visayas. It is a combination of the surnames "Bote" and "Gozum," which may have...

Botelho (Last name)

surnames > botelho

The last name "Botelho" has Portuguese origins. It is derived from the Old Portuguese word "boteiro," which refers to a barrel maker or cooper. Over time, the surname "Botelho" bec...

Botelho-ferreira (Last name)

surnames > botelho-ferreira

Botelho Ferreira is a Portuguese surname that likely originates from the given name Botelho and the surname Ferreira. Botelho is a common surname in Portugal, derived from the Lati...

Boten (Last name)

surnames > boten

The last name "Boten" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the word "bot" which means barrel or cask in Dutch. It likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who wor...

Boteva (Last name)

surnames > boteva

The last name Boteva is of Bulgarian origin. It is derived from the given name Bote.

Botfield (Last name)

surnames > botfield

The last name Botfield is of English origin. It is derived from a combination of the Old English personal name "Bott" and the word "field," which referred to an open area of land u...

Bothaki (Last name)

surnames > bothaki

The surname "Bothaki" is of African origin, specifically from the Batswana people of Botswana. It is a surname that is commonly found among the Tswana ethnic group in Botswana and ...

Bothello (Last name)

surnames > bothello

The surname Bothello is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the given name "Bartolomeu," which is the Portuguese form of the name Bartholomew. The suffix "-ello" is a common d...

Bothkuri (Last name)

surnames > bothkuri

The last name Bothkuri originates from Finland. It is derived from the Finnish words "botha," meaning "bush," and "kuri," meaning "enclosure" or "pen."

Bothra (Last name)

surnames > bothra

The last name "Bothra" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Marwari community in the state of Rajasthan. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Bodhara" which m...

Botiraliyev (Last name)

surnames > botiraliyev

The last name Botiraliyev originates from Uzbekistan. It is derived from the given name Botir, which means "brave" or "courageous" in Uzbek, combined with the suffix -liyev, a comm...

Botirova (Last name)

surnames > botirova

The last name Botirova originates from Central Asia, specifically from the Tajik and Uzbek regions. It is a common surname among people from these areas and is likely derived from ...

Botiuq (Last name)

surnames > botiuq

The last name "Botiuq" does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It may be a rare or unique surname that does not have a documented history or etymology.

Botnari (Last name)

surnames > botnari

The last name Botnari is of Moldovan origin. It is derived from the Moldovan word "botnari," which means "shoemaker" or "cobbler." This surname was likely originally used to identi...