Gaetz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Gaetz

What does the name Gaetz mean?

The ancient surname Gaetz is thought to be East German-Slavic in origin. It is most likely derived from a personal name, such as "Gaczko" or "Gadafrid." The progenitor of the name was probably the son of someone who was known as Gatz. In this case Gaetz or Gatsch are from Gato, a pet form of Gadafrid meaning 'comrade-peace'.

Early Origins of the Gaetz family

The surname Gaetz was first found in East Germany, in the regions of Silesia, Prussia, and Pomerania, where the name is thought to have originated. The personal name Gaczko could be found in Breslau in 1328; it is therefore likely that the surname Gaetz emerged in this region shortly thereafter. The young Gaetz family was instrumental during this formative period, figuring prominently in the early history of the region and contributing greatly to the development of medieval German society.

Early History of the Gaetz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaetz research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1423 is included under the topic Early Gaetz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaetz Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gatz, Gatzke, Gatzka, Gatsch and others.

Early Notables of the Gaetz family

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

Migration of the Gaetz family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jacob Gatz, who settled in Philadelphia in 1763; Christian Gatz, who was bound out as a servant in Philadelphia in 1773; Jean Gatz, who emigrated from Alsace to Louisiana in 1840.

Contemporary Notables of the name Gaetz (post 1700) +

Don Gaetz (b. 1948), American politician, member of the Florida Senate; son of Jerry Gaetz
Jerry Gaetz (1914-1964), American politician, member of the North Dakota Senate
Stephen Gaetz OC, Canadian director of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) and a professor at the Faculty of Education at York University
Sharon L. Gaetz, Canadian politician, Mayor of Chilliwack, BC (2008-2018)
Nelson Edward Gaetz (1907-1988), Canadian politician, MLA for Halifax East (1963-1967)
Link Gaetz (b. 1968), Canadian former NHL ice hockey player who played for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks
Leonard Gaetz (1841-1907), Canadian politician, one of the first settlers and founder of what is now the city of Red Deer, Alberta
John Jost Gaetz (1859-1937), Canadian provincial politician from Alberta, Canada, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1918 to 1921