Surname Kantor - Meaning and Origin
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Kantor: What does the surname Kantor mean?
The last name Kantor is of Jewish origin and is derived from the Hebrew word kantor, which means a cantor or religious singer. The word "kantor" itself is related to the Hebrew word "ken" meaning chant or sing.
The earliest recorded use of Kantor as a surname dates back to the 17th century in Eastern Europe. During this period, the name likely originated as an occupational surname, as Jews living in Eastern Europe were often required to register their surnames according to their professions. As such, those who practiced religious singing became known as Kantor. The name likely developed amongst Jewish communities, who determined an individual's name based on their occupation.
Today, the surname Kantor is commonly associated with Jewish ancestry. However, it is also associated with other East European countries such as Poland and Hungary. Outside of these regions, the surname has become more dispersed, with individuals of a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds bearing the name.
In modern times, Kantor may also be found as a given name, bearing the same meaning as its surname origins. As of 2021, the surname Kantor is recorded in more than 50 countries around the world.
In summary, the surname Kantor is derived from the Hebrew word kantor, which means a cantor or religious singer. It originated as an occupational surname during the 17th century in Eastern Europe and is now a widely dispersed name around the world. Though most commonly associated with Jewish ancestry, individuals of various cultural and religious backgrounds may bear the name Kantor today.
Order DNA origin analysisKantor: Where does the name Kantor come from?
The last name Kantor is most common in Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. It is also found in Western European countries like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name Kantor is most numerous in California, New York, and Massachusetts, with the highest concentration being in the Los Angeles area.
The origin of the name Kantor is disputed. It either comes from an old Slavic personal name Kante or from the German word Kontor, meaning 'counter' or 'office'. Most likely, it was inspired by the latter, as Jews of German descent often used names as variations of their professions.
Kantor is a fairly common Jewish surname. It is found among Jews in Europe, the Americas, and even South Africa. It is also popular among members of the traditional Jewish Orthodox and Hasidic communities.
Variations of the name Kantor include Cantori, Kontorowicz, Kontores, and Kantar. Kante is also a variant, though less common. It is found mainly in Ukraine, Russia, and Israel.
Today, the last name Kantor is still strong and diverse as descendants of a long line of Kantors have spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kantor
The surname Kantor is an occupational surname of Slavic origin, meaning “merchant” or “shopkeeper”. The variants and spellings of the surname Kantor include the following: Kontor, Kauntor, Kontur, Kondur, Kondor, Kontari, Kuntar, Kantari, Kuntari, Kantar, Kuntor, Kontoor, Kondoor, and Kondori.
Since Kantor is a surname of Central and Eastern European origin, its spelling will change depending on the language of the country. Another variation of the name is Kontorovich or Kontarovich, which is a Russian version of Kantor. In the countries of the former Yugoslavia, like Croatia and Serbia, you will find the spelling Kantar, and in Hungary it is spelled as Kondor.
The surnames related to Kantor may differ in spelling, but will maintain the same meaning of “merchant” or “shopkeeper”. Examples of such surnames include Kandel (also Kantel or Kuntel) which means “found” or “purchased” goods, Kintzer, meaning “price”, Kondrat, meaning “price judge”, and Kondransky, which means “judgment or evaluation of goods”.
Modern spellings of Kantor have become a common part of the family names of Central and Eastern European Jewish families, and this name is now popular among Ashkenazi Jews.
In conclusion, the variants and spellings of the surname Kantor are numerous and may vary depending on the language of the country. The related surnames will maintain the same meaning of “merchant” or “shopkeeper”.
Famous people with the name Kantor
- Melissa Kantor: A New York Times bestselling author of young adult fiction stories.
- Twenty One Pilots frontman Tyler Joseph Kantor.
- Stephen Kantor: An American science fiction writer.
- Julian Kantor: A Russian-Soviet contemporary painter.
- Joanne Kantor: An accomplished author of children’s fiction, nonfiction, and other works.
- Vitaly Kantor: A Russian entomologist and professor of ecology, landscape, and forestry sciences.
- Kurt Kantor: An American actor, director, and producer.
- Richard Kantor: A broadcasting, media, and marketing executive.
- Mark Kantor: An American maritime lawyer and practitioner of international maritime law.
- Marzio Kantor: An Italian architect and furniture designer.