Surname Krätschmann - Meaning and Origin
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Krätschmann: What does the surname Krätschmann mean?
The last name Krätschmann is of German origin and is derived from the personal name of Kratschmann (variant of Kreutzmann). This name is derived from the German words “krut” which means cross and “mann” meaning man.
As a result, Krätschmann is a descriptive surname, perhaps indicating an ancestor who was involved in a profession involving crucifixion, or showed remarkable faith. There is also a possibility that Krätschmann may be derived from a place name, such as Kreutzen, which is located in Silesia, now parts of Germany and Poland.
Krätschmann is a relatively rare surname, found almost exclusively in Germany. Outside of Germany, it is only found in a handful of countries, with the largest amount of Krätschmanns found in the United States.
The meaning of Krätschmann can be found in both its literal origins and its interpretation with regards to faith. The surname brings to mind images of a strong, resilient faith, and of a profession or skill that takes patience and perseverance to carry out.
Order DNA origin analysisKrätschmann: Where does the name Krätschmann come from?
The last name Krätschmann is a German surname of rare but international occurrence. As a result, it is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and their respective regions. There are also smaller pockets of the name in countries such as the United States and Canada.
According to the genealogy site sava-scandinavia.com, Krätschmann is most popular and most frequently seen throughout Germany and Switzerland. There are documented Krätschmann families found in the state of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Thüringen in Germany. In Switzerland, especially where the major more German speaking population is found, it is a common name in the cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Zurich, and Bern.
Outside of the German-speaking countries, the Krätschmann name can be found in countries that were previously under German control. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, the surname can be found, however in small numbers.
Tracing the Krätschmann surname in German records reveals that the family likely had its origins in parts of Brandenburg and Saxony, where one of the largest concentrations of the name can still be found today. Many members of the family moved to southwestern Germany as working-class families over centuries, and so the name spread from there. As an example, the legendary Werner Krätschmann was a world-renowned master glass blower from Darmstadt, Germany.
Given these concentrations of the Krätschmann surname, one can assume that German-speaking nations such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and their associated regions remain the most likely locations to find this rare but not forgotten surname.
Variations of the surname Krätschmann
The Krätschmann surname has many variants and spellings, some of which include Craeschmann, Kraeschmann, Kraschmann, Kratschmann, Krätsch, Kraetsch, and Kratzmann. Some of these surname variations may be found outside of Germany, and some may be found in other countries.
The meaning of the surname evolved from certain occupations in medieval Europe. The “Kratz” prefix indicated a family who collected taxes or did financial work. The “Krätsch” suffix describes someone who has done grating work or metal tinkering.
Krätschmann is also the root for many different surnames. The suffix may change, depending on the locale, but the “Krätsch” remains constant. For example, in some Northern regions of Germany the suffix becomes “mann” (Kraetschmann). In some Southern German locales, the suffix is changed to “meier” (Kraetschmeier). In the Netherlands, the suffix is often changed to “ing” (Kraetsching), while in Belgium, it may be changed into “man” (Kraetschman).
The spelling of this name may also vary, as it is often found as Kraetzman, Kraetzman, Kratzman, Kraetzmann, and Kraetzman. In areas with a large Jewish population, the spelling is also sometimes found as Kratzmann.
The Krätschmann surname can also be found in other European countries, such as France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. In France, for instance, the surname is often spelled as Craeschman, Kraechman, and Craeschmann.
Finally, the name Krätschmann is also a common Jewish surname. The Jewish Anglocised version of the name is Kratzman, and in many instances, the name is spelled as Kraetz, Kraetsch, and Kraetschman.
Famous people with the name Krätschmann
- Salomon Krätschmann (15th century German theologian)
- Wilhelm Krätschmann (German Social Democratic politician)
- Ernst Krätschmann (19th century German botanist)
- August Krätschmann (19th century Bavarian civil servant)
- Friedrich Krätschmann (19th century German legal scholar and statesman)
- Hugo Krätschmann (German war hero and philanthropist)
- Eva Krätschmann (German biathlete and cross-country skier)
- Ludwig Krätschmann (19th century German businessman and actor)
- Gerhard Krätschmann (20th century German historian)
- Alice Krätschmann (20th century German filmmaker and documentarian)