Surname Krecht - Meaning and Origin

Krecht: What does the surname Krecht mean?

The surname Krecht has German and Dutch origins. It is derived from the Middle High German word "krechen" meaning "to move, to shake". It belonged to a family who were originally farmers and shepherds, and was given to those who tended to flocks of sheep or performed other agrarian functions. The surname also has some clues to its ancient religious affiliations; it is thought to be associated with a Lutheran sect that settled in southern Germany and the Netherlands during the Reformation period.

The Krechts were a mainly rural population who helped to shape the socio-economic landscape of the region in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were hardworking and resourceful, and sought to make their modest living by establishing successful farms, mills, plantations, and other enterprises.

The Krechts were also well-regarded as craftsmen, producing high-quality merchandise for export across Europe. In addition, family members adopted more prestigious professions such as merchants, traders, and innkeepers. While the Krechts did not gain much fame or fortune, they nevertheless made a name for themselves through their hard work, and their surname stands as a testament to their labors.

Krecht: Where does the name Krecht come from?

The last name Krecht is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a surname of German origin and derived from the Middle High German slang 'krect', which can be translated as 'crafty' or 'clever'.

In Germany, Krecht is most commonly found in the regions of Brandenburg, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. In Austria, it is mainly found in the provinces of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, and Salzburg.

Krecht is also a common surname in the U.S., though it is likely a variation of the German surname, since American immigration records show a few German immigrants bearing the surname. The last name is especially common in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois.

Krecht is a less-frequent surname elsewhere in the world. It is also found in small numbers in Canada, Australia, France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.

Variations of the surname Krecht

The surname Krecht is believed to have originated from Germany and is derived from the old German name Krehan, which is a topographical or habitational surname indicating someone who lived near a bend, arch, or crossing of the river (Krecht in German).

Variant spellings for Krecht are Krech, Craech, Krechte, Krechet, Krechtle, and Kreycht. Some common alternate surnames of the same origin are Kretch, Krentch, Kretchmar, Krechmeyer, Krechtel, Krechner, Kretchman, Kretchmer, Krechling, Krechmer, Kretchman, Krechmacher, Krechtmann, Kretchman, and Kreuth.

It is interesting to note that ‘Krecht’ is a slang word in modern-day Germany for ‘a curved path’, hinting at its origin in the country.

The variants of the surname Krecht share the same linguistic and cultural roots in Germany, and bear nuances in their spelling which might have been caused by migration or intermarriage with other cultures.

Although the variants and alternate spellings of Krecht are pronounced differently, their meaning remains the same - someone who lived at a bend, arch or crossing of a river.

Famous people with the name Krecht

• Paul Kretch, former American basketball player
• Eric Krecht, American composer
• Gerd Krecht, German politician
• Jeff Krecht, professional canoe paddler
• Werner Krecht, Austrian ..., painter
• Walter Krechtsberger, Austrian lawyer
• Edwin Krecht, German aeronautical engineer
• Robert Krecht, documentarian
• Ernest Krecht, Slovenian politician
• Anna Krecht, Germanhalf-court player
• Malte Krecht, German alpine ski racer
• David Krecht, American sculptor
• Alaina Krecht, American soccer player
• Bernhard Krecht, Austrian footballer
• Paul-Franz Krecht, Austrian ice hockey player
• Roman Krecht, Russian sprinter
• Abraham Krecht, Dutch entrepreneur
• Eric-Klaus Krecht, former Professor of German Language and Literature
• Robert Krecht, German lawyer
• Paul Krecht, Swiss footballer

Other surnames

KrechterKrechting