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ltdir/surnames

Butkus

BÙTKUS

Etymology

Derives from the pagan name Butkintas as a diminutive, ultimately from Lithuanian būti “to be.”¹ The suffix -kus would give the surname a pejorative tone². Cf. Lith. surn. Butkà, Butkáuskas, Butkẽvičius, Bùtkis. Cf. Latvian Butka, Butkevics, and Latv. Butka village, Butkas village, Butki village³. However not all derivatives can be formed with bùtk-, cf. Czech Budka⁴, Polish Butkowski⁵.

Feminine FORMS

Butkienė / Butkutė

Pronunciation

/ˈbʊtkʊs/

SEE ALSO

SOURCES

1. Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022.

2. J. Otrębski, 1953, p. 46..

3. J. Endzelīns, 1956, p. 149..

4. J. Gebauer, 1970, p. 113..

5. S. Rospond, 1967, p. 110..