Coetzee (Afrikaans: [kutˈsiə]) is an Afrikaans surname. It is the tenth most common family name in South Africa.[1]

Origin

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Unlike many South African family names that are easily traced back to English, Dutch, or Huguenot French, the origin of the name Coetzee is unclear. It is known to date back to Dirk Coetzee, who came to Cape Colony from Kampen, Netherlands, in the 17th century.[1]

Dutch linguist Jan-Wouter Zwart states the guess, in an informal essay, that the name derives from the common Dutch name Koetsier, guided by its pronunciation.[1]

Notable people with the surname "Coetzee"

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See also

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  • Kotze / Kotzé, alternative spelling, notable people carrying the surname

References

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  1. ^ a b c Jan-Wouter Zwart (2018), On the origin of the South-African surname Coetzee, archived from the original on 20 June 2018, retrieved 20 June 2018