Surname Kittler - Meaning and Origin

Kittler: What does the surname Kittler mean?

The last name 'Kittler' is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the Old German name 'Keteler'. Meaning ‘kitchener’ or ‘cook’, the surname is an occupational name for someone responsible for the running of a medieval kitchen. It may also suggest that the original bearer of the Kittler name was a maker of cooking utensils such as pots and pans.

The surname Kittler has evolved from the original early German spelling of 'Keteler' which was derived from the Middle High German ‘ketelare’. This then became the ‘Kittler’ spelling common in Germany today.

Kittler is not a particularly common surname in Germany, but is more popular in some regions such as the East and South of the country, particularly in states such as Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also fairly widely distributed in the USA, most commonly in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Many famous German figures have held the name Kittler, including the historian Ferdinand Kittler and the novelists Erich Kittler and Alfred Kittler. Furthermore, the Kittler name has spread throughout the world and is fascinatingly still used as the name for a winery based in California.

In summary, the Kittler surname is of German origin and was likely derived from the Middle High German word ‘ketelare’, meaning ‘kitchener’ or ‘cook’. The Kittler name is fairly widely distributed in Germany and the USA and many notable individuals have used the name.

Kittler: Where does the name Kittler come from?

The last name Kittler is believed to have originated in Germany, and is still common in and around that area today. The name is particularly concentrated in the south-central German state of Saxony, with numerous towns containing family names including Kittler, Kettler and Köttler.

In addition to Germany, Kittler is also present in Austia and Switzerland, as well as in parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, France and the Czech Republic. The German diaspora has seen the name appear in other countries, particularly in North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Kittler is a fairly common surname, based on an occupational name: küttler meaning 'wood-cutter'. It dates back to the medieval period, when many Germans sought to make a living out of cutting and gathering wood for firewood, timber, and construction. This occupation was often taken up by the poorer peasants, who were granted a certain amount of land to cultivate and use for this purpose.

In Germany, Kittler is fairly widely spread. A search for 'Kittler' and related names in the Meyers Gazetteer of German Surnames yields over 400 villages and cities throughout the country, with multiple names including Kittler and its variants appearing in each search result.

Today, the Kittler name is still found in many countries around the world, with contemporary reports of people with the surname living in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Argentina, and Australia, among others.

Variations of the surname Kittler

The Kittler surname has various spellings, variants, and surnames with the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Kittle, Kettler, Kittler, Kuttler, Kittleerer, Kettlauer, Ketteler, Kiehl, and Kilder.

The surname Kittler originated from the chief of a clan in the Middle Ages. The family was known as the Kittleeners, later becoming the Kuttlers and then the Kittlers. This surname was derived from an Old High German word “Kutto” which meant bright or shining. The Kittler surname is most commonly found in the countries of Germany and Austria.

One variant of the surname Kittler is Kittle. This German name originated from the Middle High German word “kuten” meaning to shine. Members of the Kittle family were often involved in the trade of cloth and clothing as merchants in the Middle Ages.

Another variant is Kettler. This name originates from the Middle High German word “ketten” meaning to bind. It is believed that the surname was first borne by an official or secretary who acted as a scribe and kept records of important events such as dates and people.

Kuttler and Kittleerer are two more variants of the same origin. The name Kuttler stems from the Middle High German word “kussen” meaning to kiss. This surname is also thought to be derived from the word “kutte” meaning a cloak or cape. The name Kittleerer is thought to have originated from the old German word “Kittleern” which means “the one who whips.”

Finally, the variants Kettlauer, Ketteler, Kiehl, and Kilder are all derivatives of Kittler. The German name Kettlauer is thought to originate from the Middle High German word “kettelen” which means to play on a musical instrument. The Ketteler family is believed to have originated from a place called “Kettlerovecka” in Czechoslovakia. The names Kiehl and Kilder appear to originate from the Middle High German word “Killing” which means damnation or tragedy.

In conclusion, the Kittler surname has several spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Kittle, Kettler, Kuttler, Kittleerer, Kettlauer, Ketteler, Kiehl, and Kilder are all variants of the Kittler surname which can be found in Germany and Austria.

Famous people with the name Kittler

• Fritz Kittler: German literary and media theorist, noted for his work on literature, art, media, and technology
• Johannes Kittler: Austrian mathematician and computer scientist. He is known for the creation of the learning theory called ‘Transduction’
• Krister Kittler: Swedish Finnish fighting champion, known mostly for his accomplishments in Kung Fu
• Elise M. Kittler: German medical doctor, noted for her work with robotic prosthetic technology
• Monika Kittler: Austrian actress, known for her role in the film Cabaret
• Johann Kittler: Austrian musicologist and composer, known for his work on folk music as well as his writings on Austrian music
• Petra Kittler: Argentine photographer, known for her unique and modern approach to documentary photography
• Dieter Kittler: German economist, noted for his work on macroeconomics and international capital flows
• Guenter Kittler: German author and filmmaker, noted for his unique blend of genres and styles in his work
• Wayne Kittler: Canadian writer and director, known for his unique writing style and award-winning documentaries.

Other surnames

Kittl