Coetzee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Coetzee

What does the name Coetzee mean?

The Coetzee surname is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "kotze," which was a coarse woolen cloth or garment. Today the variants Kotze, Kotzé and Coetzee are frequently Afrikaans surnames.

However, one source claims the Coetzee variant is often thought to be derived from Couché, suggesting a Huguenot origin, but the earliest record is of Dirk Coetzee, who emigrated to Cape Colony from Kampen, Netherlands, in the 17th century.

Early Origins of the Coetzee family

The surname Coetzee was first found in East Prussia, where the name was originally found in Livonia and moved south and became Russian Counts in 1799. They gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status.

Early History of the Coetzee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coetzee research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1295 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Coetzee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coetzee Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kotzel, Kotzle, Kotzeler, Koetzle, Koetzel and many more.

Early Notables of the Coetzee family

More information is included under the topic Early Coetzee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coetzee Ranking

South Africa, the name Coetzee is the 51^st most popular surname with an estimated 83,814 people with that name. 1

Coetzee migration to the United States +

Coetzee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Henry Coetzee, aged 25, South African settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Saint Paul" in 1905 2
Philippus Mare Coetzee, aged 25, South African settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Mauretania" in 1922 2
Johannes Francois Coetzee, aged 37, South African settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Berengaria" in 1925 2
Isaac John Coetzee, aged 23, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Orduna" in 1926 2
Alfred Coetzee, aged 31, South African settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Glarona" in 1943 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Coetzee (post 1700) +

Johannes Hermanus Hugo "Jan Boland" Coetzee (1945-2025), South African rugby union player and wine maker, wine farmer and winemaker at his farm Vriesenhof, in the Stellenbosch region
Hannes Coetzee (b. 1944), South African guitarist
Gerrie Coetzee (1955-2023), South African boxer
Gerald Coetzee (b. 2000), South African cricketer
George Coetzee (b. 1986), South African golfer
Felix Coetzee (b. 1959), South African jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing
Dirk Coetzee (1945-2013), co-founder and commander of a covert South African Police unit in the 1990s
Danie Coetzee (b. 1977), South African rugby union footballer
Clem Coetzee (1939-2006), Zimbabwean conservationist
... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result