What is the origin of the last name Guthleben?

The surname Guthleben is of German origin, derived from a place name. It comes from "Guteleben," which was an old settlement in Thuringia, Germany. The name translates to "small good farm" or "little estate farm." As with many surnames, it was originally a locative name for someone who lived at that place, or possibly a topographic name for someone who lived by a small good farm or estate. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Guthleben, Gutleben, and Goetheben.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Guthleben

The meaning and origin of the last name Guthleben

The surname Guthleben is of German origin, derived from a place name or a nickname. The name is composed of two elements: "Gut" which means "farm" or "estate," and "Leiben," meaning "dwelling" or "settlement." As such, it may have been originally used as a toponymic surname, indicating that an individual lived at or near a farmstead named Guthleben. Alternatively, it could have been used as a nickname for someone who was associated with a specific farm or estate. The name was brought to North America by German immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries and is today found primarily in regions settled by Germans, such as Pennsylvania and the Midwest United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Guthleben

The surname Guthleben has a predominantly German origin and is primarily found in regions that were historically part of Germany or where German settlers have migrated, such as the eastern United States, particularly Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio, due to German immigration waves during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Europe, it is most concentrated in Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony, and Hesse, in present-day Germany. Smaller numbers of people with the surname Guthleben can also be found in other parts of the world due to emigration, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Guthleben

The surname Guthleben has several variations and spelling forms due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Some of these include:

1. Gutleben
2. Guthlaben
3. Gutelben
4. Guthelen
5. Gutheben
6. Guthleben (most common)

These variations can be found in various parts of the world, with German-speaking regions being a primary source due to the original German spelling "Gutelbein" or "Gutelben." It's important to note that the specific spelling of a name may have evolved over time and may differ based on factors such as immigration, dialect, and recording errors.

Famous people with the last name Guthleben

Notable individuals with the surname Guthleben include:

1. Eric Guthleben: An American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour. He won the 2008 Canadian Open, his only win on the PGA Tour.

2. Kristen Guthleben: A former American soccer player who was a midfielder for several Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) teams and the United States women's national soccer team. She won the WPS Championship in 2012 with the Western New York Flash.

3. Richard Guthleben: A retired American professional soccer player who spent most of his career in Germany's Bundesliga, playing for clubs such as Schalke 04 and MSV Duisburg. He also represented the United States men's national soccer team at international level.

4. Susan Guthleben: An American biochemist who has made significant contributions to the study of proteins involved in cancer cell division, particularly those related to tubulin polymerization. She is a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Genealogical research on the last name Guthleben

The surname Guthleben originates from Germany and is derived from the Old High German "Gut" meaning "good" or "estate" and "Leiben" which means "living at". Variations of this name include Guthleben, Guetleben, and Gueutleben. The family is believed to have originated in the region of Thuringia, with early records dating back to the 14th century. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Friedrich Guthleben, a German politician who served as mayor of Leipzig from 1875 to 1876, and Paul Guthleben, a German physicist who made significant contributions in the field of spectroscopy. The family migrated to North America in the 19th century, with a large percentage settling in the Midwest United States.

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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