Surname Kraatz - Meaning and Origin
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Kraatz: What does the surname Kraatz mean?
The last name Kraatz is a German surname derived from kratz, which is the German word for “claw” or “scratch.” This term likely became used as a surname when people began to settle in a particular area and needed to be distinguished from one another. That said, the origin of the surname is complicated as this name is found in parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even the Czech Republic.
The surname can be found in its earliest records during the 1400s in southwestern Germany in the region of Bavaria. It’s estimated that in the 1500s, many started using this surname and began to disperse into other regions. By 1650, Kraatz families had settled in parts of Bohemia. During the late 1700s, Kraatz had made its way to Russia, with some families relocating to the United States and Canada in the 1800s and 1900s.
Given its origin and complex history, the meaning of the surname Kraatz is difficult to pinpoint and is open to interpretation. One interpretation is that the name is connected to those who are agile and tenacious climbers, skilled in reaching their goals and ambitions. Another view suggests that the surname is rooted in the ability to quickly perceive and react to challenges. Ultimately, the meaning is up to each individual to interpret and is likely rooted in their ancestral history.
Order DNA origin analysisKraatz: Where does the name Kraatz come from?
The last name Kraatz is most common in Germany, where records show that it was first recorded in the 14th century. Today, the name is still quite common in some parts of Germany, with the majority of people carrying the name living in the states of Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein. However, the surname is increasingly becoming a global one and is now found in the US, Canada, England, Australia and other countries.
In the US, the name is most frequently found in the South, Midwest, and West regions with nearly 15,000 people having the surname. The state with the most people carrying the name is California, followed by Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
The name Kraatz also appears in South Africa, Brazil, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and other countries.
Though it's difficult to ascertain why the name is so widespread, it is thought to be due to a combination of migration, intermarriage, and historical circumstances. For example, given that the German name system changes with each generation, many people with the Kraatz surname could have changed it as they moved around, making it easier to find people with the surname in different parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Kraatz
The surname Kraatz is a German prefix which is derived from the Old German word “Kratze” which translates to “scratch”. It is most commonly found in the Germanic-speaking regions of Central and Northern Europe. It is one of the oldest and longest-standing surnames in Germany.
Variations of the Kraatz surname include Kratz, Krats, Kratzy, Kratzman, Kratsman, Kratckow, Kratcow, Kratcher, Kratchow, Krans, Krantz, Kranz, Crate, and Kreutz.
Variations of the spelling of Kraatz include Kraats, Kraatz, Kratz, Kratze, Kratzen, and Krats.
The variations of surnames for Kraatz are Kras, Kraaz, Kraazt, Krayz, Kreez, and Krutz.
Some of the variant surnames of Kraatz include the Dutch Kras, Kraaz, and Krak, as well as the Hungarian Kreutz, Kreez, and Krenz. In Poland, the surnames Krasz, Kraszewski, Kraszewski, Kraatz, Crest, Krithel, and Krez, among others, are often used. Similarly, the variant surnames of Kraatz in Czech and Slovak are Kraaz, Krejčí, and Krakovsky. In Austria, the surname Krats is used as a variation of Kraatz.
Overall, the Kraatz surname has been used since medieval times in different regions of Europe and the variations of the surname are still used in present day.
Famous people with the name Kraatz
- David Kraatz: German footballer.
- Rosemary Kraatz: American figure skater who won three U.S. national titles.
- Reg Kraatz: Australian cricketer and administrator.
- Lauren Kraatz: Canadian Paralympic athlete.
- Adam Kraatz: American professional soccer player.
- Ruby Kraatz: American cross-country skier and ski racer.
- Gordon Kraatz: American former NFL fullback.
- Brian Kraatz: German footballer.
- Christine Kraatz: Canadian figure skater who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
- Reinhard Kraatz: German rugby player.
- Wendy Kraatz: Canadian former artistic gymnast.
- Tom Kraatz: Canadian tennis player.
- Greg Kraatz: American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Syd Kraatz: American former National Football League placekicker.
- Jennifer Kraatz: American former professional snowboarder.