Surname Kortenacker - Meaning and Origin
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Kortenacker: What does the surname Kortenacker mean?
The last name Kortenacker is of German origin, stemming from the Low German words "kort" meaning short and "nacker" meaning near. It is likely that the name was originally given to a family who lived in a village near a shorter than average spot or a landmark.
Throughout the ages, this name has become associated with various regional variations, such as Kortenach, Corterach, and Korthnaker. The first mention of the Kortenacker name was in 1430 in the Uckermark region of Germany. For the next four and a half centuries, the family spread across Germany, and in 1879 the first family immigrated to the United States.
In the 21st century, Kortenacker is still an active and well-known name. It is common not only throughout Germany, but also in other countries such as Switzerland, France, and the United States.
Today, the last name Kortenacker symbolizes a family of German origin who has been around for nearly seven centuries. While many German families began to immigrate around the world in the 1700s and 1800s, the Kortenackers favored staying in Germany, where they have continued to stay for generations. Although the family is scattered around the world, they remain closely connected to their German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKortenacker: Where does the name Kortenacker come from?
The Kortenacker surname is most common in Germany. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. Records show that the earliest occurrences of the surname can be traced to the German state of Thuringia. To this day the surname remains relatively concentrated in this area.
The Kortenacker surname can also be found in the United States, where large-scale immigration during the 19th century from Germany and other parts of Europe saw many German-speakers set up home. Populations of the surname can now be found in a number of states, particularly in those with formerly large German-speaking communities such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, and Texas.
Various census records show that the surname is thought to be of occupational origin, derived from the medieval German term 'Kurte’ meaning 'coat' or garment. It is assumed that Kortenackers were tailors or people who worked dealing with clothing.
Today, the surname Kortenacker is still predominantly found in the United States and Europe, primarily in Germany. It may be more common in other parts of the world with the continued movement of people looking to start a new life in another country.
Variations of the surname Kortenacker
Kortenacker is a German and Dutch surname derived from the word “kort”, which means “short”. It consists of two distinct spellings (Kortenacker and Kortenakker) that are interchangeable in Germany and Austria, but not in the Dutch-speaking parts of the country.
Variants of the surname include Kortenacker, Kortenakker, Korte, Kortenay, Kortenayz, Kortennes, Kortenson, Korten, Kortenz, Kortent and Korteneck.
The surname can also take on many different suffixes and prefixes depending on the region it is found in. For instance, in Dutch, the suffix “-kamp” might be added to mean “camp”; while in Germany, the prefix “Hof-” might be added to mean “court”.
Similarly, Kortenacker could evolve into other surnames in some areas of Germany, such as Kortenück, Schwarzkorten, Schwartzenackter, Kortenbäcker and Schalkenacker.
In the Netherlands, some of the variants that exist are Kortenasser, Kortenesse and Korteneke.
It is important to note that other surnames could have emerged from Kortenacker, as it is common in many languages for surnames to be slightly changed and transformed over time. Furthermore, due to mass migration, the surname might now be found in other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States.
Famous people with the name Kortenacker
- Gloria Kortenacker: Notable for her roles in the late 1960s, Gloria Kortenacker was a popular leading lady in Italian films such as “The Devil’s Return” and “Vendetta” as well as several westerns.
- David Kortenacker: American entomologist and museum director from California, best known for leading the California Academy of Science from 1998-2006.
- Joseph Kortenacker: An American equipment specialist and the current president of specialty product company Trenco.
- Henry Kortenacker: A German fighter pilot during WWI, credited with 11 victories and the last ace pilot from the German Army.
- Reinhard Kortenacker: A professor and historicist from Freiburg, Germany, best known for his work on the medieval period.
- Alan Kortenacker: A Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet and novelist.
- Jean-François Kortenacker: Well-known French philosopher, theologian and professor at University of Paris.
- William Kortenacker: A former Music Director for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
- John Kortenacker: American aviator and executive, particularly notable for his role of President of McDonnell Douglas from June 1983 to October 1987.
- Charlotte Kortenacker: German wife to Henry and mother to Joseph and Reinhard, known as a gifted potter and painter.