Surname Kortner - Meaning and Origin
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Kortner: What does the surname Kortner mean?
The last name Kortner has German-Jewish roots, originating in the early 18th century. The name is derived from the German word “Kurtner,” which means tailor. It is thought that early Kortners were tailors or embroiderers by trade and the name was adopted as a family name once their skills had been established and recognized in the local community.
The tailoring profession was an important one in Europe during the 18th century and was a highly respected profession. As many of the Kortner families lived in the Jewish areas of Germany, it is likely that they continued to practice the respected trade and were highly respected by their peers.
The Kortner family has spread across the world since the 18th century, and the name is now found in the United States, Australia, and Israel, although the majority of Kortners still live in Germany.
The name Kortner is associated with hard work, respect, and dedication to craftsmanship and the skill of tailoring. The name is a reminder of the legacy of a people and their hard work and dedication to their craft.
Order DNA origin analysisKortner: Where does the name Kortner come from?
The surname Kortner is of European origin, specifically German. The name might be anglicized from the German "Kürtner" or "Koertner," both of which are occupational surnames. When translated, they denote a person who was a furrier or a cutter, i.e., someone whose job was to cut and prepare furs. Alternatively, the name could derive from the German "Kürtner," which refers to someone from Kurtin, a place in Germany.
The surname Kortner is not very common today and is scattered in various countries around the world. There are some the United States, particularly in states with a significant German-American population. It is also present in Germany and Austria, given the German origin of the name. A famous bearer of the name is the Austrian-born actor and director Fritz Kortner. Even with these occurrences, the surname Kortner remains relatively rare in comparison to other German-origin surnames.
Variations of the surname Kortner
There seem to be limited variants or alternative spellings for the surname "Kortner." However, it is quite common for surnames to adapt and transform due to variations in language, dialect, or even transcription errors.
Alternate spellings and variations could conceivably include "Kortnar," "Kortnur," "Kortnir" or "Kortnerr." Another potential evolution could be to "Kortener" or "Kortenar." A common practice is to Americanize foreign surnames; in that case, "Kortner" could change to "Cortner," "Courtner," or "Cortener."
Surnames that might be of the same or similar origin could be "Kort," "Korten," or "Kortman," which all contain the same root. The surname "Körner," which sounds similar to "Kortner," could also be a potential related surname.
Remember, each specific variation could branch into its own set of variants. Therefore, the possibilities are manifold but without a deep genealogical investigation, it's hard to pin down all potential variants or surnames of similar origin.
Because surnames can differ remarkably even within the same country, always consider local culture, dialect and spelling credentials specific to the region the surname originates from.
Famous people with the name Kortner
- Fritz Kortner: An influential German actor and stage director, known for his exceptional performances during the 1920s and 1930s. Kortner is renowned for his works in celebrated films like Pandora's Box (1929) and Dreyfus (1930).
- Johanna Kortner (Hoess): Known as the wife of Fritz Kortner. She was an actress and is remembered for Metropolis (1927), Fear (1920) and Nachtkolonne (1929).
- Ruth Beckermann: Her birth name is Ruth Kortner and she is a prominent Austrian Film director, author, and producer. She is known for her documentary films covering socio-political concerns, particularly related to Austrian history.
- Paul Kortner: An American film critic and screenwriter who is best known for his collaborations with Paul Bartel. His most popular works include "Eating Raoul" and "Death Race 2000." While the names mentioned above are directly linked to the Kortner surname, the limited number suggests that the name could be relatively uncommon in the realm of global celebrities or public figures.