Surname Körwer - Meaning and Origin

Körwer: What does the surname Körwer mean?

The last name Körwer is of German origin and is associated with the ground or soil. The root of the word Körwer is kör or kerr, which originated in the Old High German language and was first documented in the forms Kerweresfon or Kerver in middle German documents.

The name likely refers to a type of estate or ground

held by a family. It often referred to a flattish area that was located between hills, which could sometimes be quite large. It was usually used for agricultural purposes or hunting.

Due to the association with the ground, Körwer can also mean ‘ground guardian’, as it was very common to assign families to guard certain grounds and to have them patrol the borders of the estates they had been assigned to.

Körwer is still a fairly common name in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There are numerous towns with the Körwer name, such as Körwerding in Bavaria, Kurwer-Verdoe in Bohemia and Kurwern in Westphalia.

As many last names have a symbolic meaning, Körwer could be used to signify those who keep their feet planted firmly on the ground, drawing on its origins as a ‘ground guardian’ and protector.

Körwer: Where does the name Körwer come from?

The surname Körwer is common today mostly throughout Germany and German speaking areas. This is likely due to its origins, being derived from the old German word ‘Kurwarz’ meaning ‘cauldron keeper.’ The majority of Körwer families have lived in Germany for multiple generations, with some having resided in the country for centuries.

The name can also be found in other areas throughout Europe, including Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Poland. In addition, some Körwer families have emigrated to the United States and Canada, with records of the name being found in several different states and provinces.

As a result of the Körwer family’s deep roots in German culture, many members have often kept their last name, even when migrating to different parts of the world. This has led to a high number of people with the name maintaining their German identity, language, and culture in their new homes.

Today, there are multiple noteworthy Körwer families found all over Germany and the wider world, with a variety of people of the same name making their names known in their respective industries. For example, there are a number of musicians, entrepreneurs, and athletes with the surname, as well as some prominent academics and researchers.

Variations of the surname Körwer

Körwer is a German surname which originated in the Austrian region known as Carinthia. It is derived from the Middle High German "Kerwer", meaning one who works a plot of land or a farm. Throughout history it has been spelled in several different forms, including Kerwer, Coruer, Korver, Korwer, and Körwer.

The surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, but there is a significant spread to other countries such as Germany, Sweden, the United States, and even Indonesia.

Variations of the surname include Kerwer, Kerwerl, Kerwerländ, Kerwerle, and Kerwerk. The Korver, Korverl, Korverle, Korwer, and Korwerl variations originated from the Netherlands. In America, the surname was shortened to Kow and later changed to Keyor and Keer, which are the two main American variations of the name.

There is also the variant Koerwer, which comes from Austria. This variant indicates that the original German spelling "Körwer" was dropped and only the "Koer" was kept. Additionally, some Swedish variants have Koerwer and Koerver.

In conclusion, the surname Körwer has a range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, all of which come from the Middle High German word "Kerwer", meaning one who works a plot of land or a farm. It has also been modified and used in different countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States, and has also generated other surnames such as Koerwer and Keyor.

Famous people with the name Körwer

• Michael Körwer: a German football referee.
• Julian Körwer: an award-winning multi-disciplinary designer.
• Holger Körwer: a German business executive.
• Uwe Körwer: a German cinematographer.
• Reinhard Körwer: a German stage actor and director.
• Harry Körwer: a German business executive and 1998 Professors of the Year.
• Dirk Körwer: a former German professional footballer.
• Christof Körwer: a German sculptor and artist.
• Stefan Körwer: a German film and television director.
• Lutz Körwer: a German geographer and emeritus professor.
• Karl Körwer: a German football referee and referee instructor.
• Guido Körwer: a German football referee and official.
• Erwin Körwer: a German entrepreneur and manager.
• Friedrich Körwer: an Austrian-born physician.
• Ulf Körwer: a German sports journalist and presenter.
• Jörg Körwer: a German police officer and specialist in fire investigation.
• Marcus Körwer: a German artist in industrial design, photography and video.
• Johann Körwer: a German engineer in research and development.
• Oliver Körwer: a German author and historian.
• Hellmut Körwer: a German physician and president emeritus.

Other surnames

Körwers