Surname Creutz - Meaning and Origin
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Creutz: What does the surname Creutz mean?
The last name Creutz is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term "kroiz" meaning "cross". The specific origin of this family name is not known, but it is believed to be related to those families that originated in northern or eastern Germany during the Middle Ages. It could also be related to the families that had an interest in the cross, as in accepting Christianity, or it could be a symbol of someone who was a soldier or a preacher.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Creutz became associated with those families that bore the coat of arms of three silver crosses on a field of red, a symbol of the history and nobility of the name. Its earliest usage dates back to around the 1700s and is still used to this day.
In modern times, the surname Creutz is still most commonly found in Germany where family members reside in several of the country's provinces, as well as in other nations including Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and the United States of America.
Overall, the last name Creutz suggests a strong sense of history and identity that traces its roots back to Middle High German times. While the origin of the name is still a mystery, there are clues to be found in vocabularies, family records, and other research materials that point to an interest in Christianity, the military, and the ability to distinguish oneself with a noble coat of arms.
Order DNA origin analysisCreutz: Where does the name Creutz come from?
The last name Creutz is of German origin and is most common in Germany today. In fact, Creutz is the 54th most common last name in Germany, with around 178,000 people having Creutz as their last name. There may also be people with the Creutz surname living in other countries, particularly in areas with large German populations like the United States and Brazil. According to the 2019 US Census, there were 3,451 people in the United States with the Creutz last name.
The first known record of the Creutz surname dates back to 1350, in the historic province of Franconia, situated in what is now the modern day state of Bavaria in Germany. While it’s unclear where the surname originally originated, some family historians believe it’s derived from the Middle High German word “Kreuzz”, which means a “crossroads” or “junction”. Others believe it could derive from an ancient house or settlement called Creutzburg, which could also mean “crossroads”.
Whether it’s derived from a settlement or a junction, the Creutz surname is still common today and is a way to connect many different families across many countries. It’s part of the fabric of our shared global history and will likely continue to be so for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Creutz
The Creutz surname can have various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. The main variants of the name Creutz include Kreutz, Croes, Kreuz, Cruse, and Cruse.
Kreutz is an alternate spelling of Creutz, and is most often found in a Dutch and German context. This variant could particularly be found in the areas of Germany in which French influence had been strong historically.
Croes is also a Dutch variant of the Creutz surname and also originated in Germany. It is most closely related to the Dutch version of the surname, Kreutz.
Kreuz is a variation of the Creutz surname that is more common in the German language. It has a particular focus on spelling regarding its usage in the German language and it is also related to the Dutch variant Kreutz.
Cruse is another variant of the Creutz surname, but it is more common in the United Kingdom rather than Germany or the Netherlands. This variant of the Creutz surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and first appeared in medieval documents and literature.
Finally, Cruse is a variation of the Creutz surname that is of French origin. It is more closely related to the Dutch variant, Kreutz, than the German version, Kreuz. This surname is more commonly found in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
In conclusion, the Creutz surname has numerous variants, spellings and related surnames of the same origin. These can mostly be found in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Creutz
- Anttoni (Tony) Creutz: Finnish politician and former Interior Minister of Finland
- Hans Creutz: German sculptor
- Helga Creutz: Swiss ecologist and animal rights activist
- Jens Creutz: Norwegian author and politician
- Lennart Creutz: Swedish art director and professor
- Pontus Creutz: Swedish pop-rock singer
- Samuel Creutz: Austrian actor, singer, and songwriter
- Andreas Creutz: Austrian professional skier
- Malin Creutz: Swedish sports commentator and journalist
- John W. Creutz: American author and librarian