Surname Kreidenweiß - Meaning and Origin

Kreidenweiß: What does the surname Kreidenweiß mean?

The last name Kreidenweiß is a German-language surname, originating from the central region of Germany. It is composed of two parts, "Kreiden" and "Weiß". The first part, “Kreiden”, is an archaic term for a type of powdered chalk that used to be found in German regions. The second part, “Weiß”, is the German word for white, a common color in the heraldic devices used in German nobility.

The surname Kreidenweiß is therefore most likely derived from a family or individual who had legal rights by heraldic association, meaning they had a vested claim to coats-of-arms, flags, titles, or other symbols associated with German nobility.

The use of coats-of-arms in Germany dates back to Emperor Charlemagne of the ninth century and the application of heraldic designs was later strengthened by Emperor Henry I, who declared that only aristocracy were eligible to possess them. As heraldic law evolved, the rules dictated that coats-of-arms should include specific elements such as crests, colors, symbols, and images. The colors used in the Kreidenweiß coat-of-arms are most likely white and blue, based on the two words of the last name.

The original bearer of this surname might have been a person or family of distinguished heritage with a vested claim to a coat-of-arms, or they could simply have been an individual who favored the white and blue motifs found in heraldic designs. Whatever the source of the name, the Kreidenweiß surname conjures up images of German nobility and long-standing pedigree.

Kreidenweiß: Where does the name Kreidenweiß come from?

The last name Kreidenweiß is common today mainly in German-speaking countries, especially Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It may appear in other regions as well, such as North and South America, where many German immigrants settled.

The surname Kreidenweiß appears in German records as early as the mid-14th century, when it was derived from a nickname meaning white chalk or white gypsum in Old German. Because chalk was important in various trades at the time, Kreidenweiß was also used as an occupational surname for those working in professions such as industrial production, furniture-making, refinery, and other related trades. Additionally, it could be a locational surname for people living near or within chalk or gypsum deposits, as well as a geographical designation for those people living in parts of German-speaking Europe once known for their chalk industry.

Presently, the name Kreidenweiß is most common in the southern regions of Germany, while it is also popular in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, where many German immigrants settled. The name is also found in other German-speaking countries such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic.

In the United States, the surname Kreidenweiß most likely originated in the Pennsylvania and surrounding states, where a large portion of German immigrants settled. As such, it is not uncommon to find people with the last name Kreidenweiß in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio.

Variations of the surname Kreidenweiß

Kreidenweiß is a German surname. It is also spelled as Kreidentweiss, Kreideweiss, and Krideweiss. It is derived from the Middle High German term ‘Kreideweiss’ which refers to a white pigment made from chalk.

This surname may have originally been used for individuals who worked in the pigment and/or paint making industry, who were using the pigment 'Kreideweiss' for the production of paint. Similarly, people with this surname may have come from a family of painters or other artists.

Variants of this surname include Kreidenweiss, Kreideweiss, Krideweiss, Kreidenwes, Kreidwes, Kridwes, Kridewess and Kreidenwei. Several spelling variants of this surname can also be found, including Kreidenweis, Kreidenweys, Kreidenweiss, Kreideweis, Kreideweys, Kreideweiss, Krideweis, Krideweys, Krideweiss, Kreidenweyser, Kreidenweiser, Kreideweyser, Kreideweiser, Krideweyser and Krideweiser.

The surname is also found in different locations in Germany, such as Baden, Bavaria, and East Prussia, in which variants such as Kreidenweisser, Kreidenweiser, Kreideweisser, and Kreideweiser are seen. It is also observed in Bohemia where the variant Kreidenweis is seen. In some cases, the surname was also changed to variants such as Krideweisz, Kreidenweiz, Kreidenweissz, Krieweis, Kreidenwis, and Kreidenwiss.

In the United States, the heritable form of this surname is Kreidenweiss, and it can also be found in its variants Kridwes, Kreidwes, Krideweiss, Kreideweiss, and Krideweis. Generally, the alternative spellings of this surname are the same in all regions, though in some instances, the last name can be spelled as Kreedentwis, Kreideneis, Kridenwais, Kridenwes, Kreidenys, Kreidwas, Kridenweiz, Kridenwess, Kreitenweis, Kritenweiss, Kreidenewis, Kreidenwas, Kreidenwis, Kreidenwiss, Kritenweis, and Kritenweiss.

Famous people with the name Kreidenweiß

• Dr. Gerald Kreidenweiß: Former Academic at the School of Business and Economics at Heidelberg University in Germany.
• August Kreidenweiß: German entomologist (insect specialist), who primarily studies microlepidoptera.
• Joseph Kreidenweiß: German composer, pianist, and organist of the late Romantic period.
• Gianni Kreidenweiß: Italian actor, director, and screenwriter.
• Philippe Kreidenweiß: German athlete, who competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics in the men’s 400 metres.
• Gertrud Kreidenweiß: German operetta soprano singer, associated with operettas by Franz Lehár and Rudolf Sieczynski.
• Ernest Kreidenweiß: German archaeologist and historian, who specialized in research on the Ancient Near East.
• Betti Kreidenweiß: Austrian folk dance historian and researcher, who publishes her findings in the Austrian Folk Dance Archives.
• Eva Kreidenweiß: Austrian television presenter, journalist, author, and publicist.
• Karl Kreidenweiß: German actor, best known for his role in the German television series Edelweisspiraten.

Other surnames

Kreidenweis