Surname Gintaut - Meaning and Origin

Gintaut: What does the surname Gintaut mean?

The last name Gintaut is of Lithuanian origin and is derived from the word “gintaras”, meaning amber. It likely originated as a nickname for a person who collected or sold amber. In ancient times, amber was highly valued for its aesthetic beauty, but it was also thought to have spiritual properties and was often used to make jewelry.

The Gintaut surname can also be found in Poland as "Gintowt," and is related to the Lithuanian name Gintautas. As a Polish surname, it may also refer to a person who lived near an earthen mound called a “gintowt”. This type of mound was used both as a primitive fortification and a burial chamber.

Today, the Gintaut surname is most common in Lithuania, where surnames based on patronyms—or the father’s first name—were once very popular. The Gintaut surname is probably derived from the Lithuanian male name Gintautas, which was formed by combining the roots “gin” (silver) and “tauta” (people).

The Gintaut surname still holds a special meaning, being connected to the colorful past of Lithuania. While the specific meaning of the surname may vary, its history still serves as a reminder of the importance of family, and of the power of a name to serve as a bridge between the past and the present.

Gintaut: Where does the name Gintaut come from?

The last name Gintaut is a fairly uncommon name today in the United States and Europe. However, it is more common in Lithuania. Gintaut is a Lithuanian last name and is a patronymic name. It is derived from the Lithuanian male name Gintautas, which itself is a combination of two Lithuanian words - ginti, meaning "to protect," and autas, meaning "to rule."

In Lithuania, Gintaut is one of the most commonly occurring family names, according to a recent study. In 2010, the surname was found in 11 villages across Lithuania, with the highest population in Vilnius. The surname is also popular in the United Kingdom, and especially in London and other large cities.

In the United States, Gintaut is not as common as in the UK or Lithuania. As of the 2020 US census, the name is reported in only seven states, with the largest numbers found in Alabama, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey. Gintaut appears to be more common among immigrants to the US from Lithuania, as the name is rarely seen in records of older generations of American families.

In summary, the last name Gintaut is most commonly found in Lithuania today. It can also occasionally be seen in the United Kingdom, and to a much lesser extent in the United States.

Variations of the surname Gintaut

Gintaut is a relatively uncommon surname of Polish origin, with variants such as Gintot, Gintat, Ginat, Ginata, Gintata and Gintauta. It is commonly related to the name Ginter, Gintar and Gintaras. Others related spellings include Gintał, Gintaŭ, Gintautas and Gintów.

Gintaut is derived from the Old Polish word gint, meaning “source”, “origin” or “spring”. As a result it can be seen to mean “from a spring” or “from the source”, as well as “of the spring” or “of the source”. This is why it is linked to names such as G inter (“from the spring”) and Gintaras (“descendant of the spring”). The suffix -aut is found in many surnames originating from Poland and can be related to terms such as “prosperity”, “security” or “protection”; giving Gintaut the sense to mean “from the prosperous source”, “from the secure source” or “from the protected source”.

Gintaut is not a common surname, however, variations can be found scattered across multiple countries. As well as Poland, variants can be found in the USA, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, and the Ukraine.

Famous people with the name Gintaut

• Roman Gintaut: Lithuanian politician and Member of the Seimas.
• Rimantas Gintautas: Lithuanian former swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Konstantinas Gintautas: Nazi-collaborationist who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania in 1941.
• Aidas Gintautas: Lithuanian swimmer who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Mindaugas Gintautas: Lithuanian Paralympic sprinter, who competed in both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
• Ignotas Gintautas: Lithuanian lawyer and political activist, who was one of the founders of the home nation movement in Lithuania.
• Augustinas Gintautas: Lithuanian football player who has represented the Lithuania national football team.
• Paulius Gintautas: Lithuanian cross-country skier who competed in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017.
• Vytautas Gintautas: Lithuanian rhythmic gymnast who is the current European Champion in the individual all-around and hoop disciplines.
• Kestutis Gintautas: Lithuanian track and field athlete who specialized in the triple jump. He was the European bronze medallist in the triple jump in 2009.

Other surnames

Gintautas