Surname Kreitmayr - Meaning and Origin
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Kreitmayr: What does the surname Kreitmayr mean?
The last name Kreitmayr is of German origin and is likely derived from the word for “cartwright” or “wheelwright”, a type of medieval artisan. The term itself generally refers to someone who makes or repairs wooden wagons, carts and other carriages. It’s likely that people bearing this name were involved in such a profession at some stage in history.
Kreitmayr is a fairly common surname mainly found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and parts of the United States, primarily among people of German or Austrian descent. It’s believed that the name was first adopted as a way for the local population to distinguish among various cartmakers in their region.
A less common, but possibly related, etymology of the name suggests it may have had a religious connotation. It could’ve been derived from the German phrase “Crietmacher” which translates to “Christ-maker” or “one who builds a temple of Christ”.
Overall, the name Kreitmayr seems to be rooted in a craft or trade which was primarily practiced throughout the Medieval age and its origin possibly connected to Christianity. Through time, the Kreitmayr surname has come to take on its own identity regardless of its original usage.
Order DNA origin analysisKreitmayr: Where does the name Kreitmayr come from?
The last name Kreitmayr is most commonly found in present-day Germany. Specifically, the majority of people with the name Kreitmayr come from Bavaria, the largest and most populous German state. Records indicate that Kreitmayr has been a common surname in Bavaria since the 19th century, which could explain its prevalence there today.
Besides Germany, Kreitmayr is predominantly found in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. These regions were all once included in the German-speaking Holy Roman Empire, so it is not surprising to find Kreitmayr in these countries as well.
Additionally, people with the surname Kreitmayr can be found in smaller numbers in North America and elsewhere around the world. In the United States, the majority of people bearing the surname live in California, Michigan, and Minnesota. Some of these individuals and families are likely descended from German immigrants who arrived in America in the 1800s.
In all likelihood, the name Kreitmayr originated in Germany centuries ago and has since spread to other parts of the world. Regardless of where they are today, anyone with the surname Kreitmayr can count themselves as part of a unique family name with a long and fascinating history.
Variations of the surname Kreitmayr
The surname Kreitmayr is believed to have been heavily influenced by Germanic language, and as such, has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the Kreitmayr surname is Kretmair, as well as variants such as Krietmair, Krietmayer, Kretmeyer, Kretzmayr, Krietmauer, Kreutmauer, Kreuzmair, and Kreytmauer. It is also feasible that the spelling could have been adapted to the local language and culture and simplified to Krätmayer, Kraetmauer, Krammayer, Kreimair, Kreimayer, Kriehmayer, and Kriemayer.
The surname can also be found in other European countries under other variations and spellings. In Austria, the surname can also be found as Krietmeyr, Kritmeyr, and Krietmaier. In Switzerland, the surname can be found as Kreitmar, Kreitmayer, Kreytmayer, and Kriemeyer. In Italy, the surname can be found as Kritmayer, and in France (when the surname is of German origin) it can be found as Kretmayer.
In countries such as the United States, where the surname is more commonly found, the Kreitmayr surname can appear as Kretmayer, Kretmayr, Kreimeyer, Kreytmayer, Kritmeyer, Kreutmeyer, Kriemayer, and Kreitmaier, amongst others.
Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of the Kreitmayr surname can appear to be drastically different, yet they all manage to maintain the same core elements, and are united by their Germanic language and culture of origin.
Famous people with the name Kreitmayr
- Fritz Kreitmayr: Fritz Kreitmayr is an Austrian professional footballer and former international who represented Austria in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Johann Jakob Kreitmayr: Johann Jakob Kreitmayr was a German jurist and historian of Bavarian law.
- Johann Paul Kreitmayr: Johann Paul Kreitmayr was an Austrian landscape painter of the Biedermeier period.
- Wilhelm Kreitmayr: Wilhelm Kreitmayr was an Austrian physician and a mineral collector.
- Wolfram Kreitmayr: Wolfram Kreitmayr is an Austrian architect and professor at the Technical University of Vienna.
- Rosina Kreitmayr: Rosina Kreitmayr was an Austrian stage actress and opera singer active from 1845 to 1890.
- Emmerich Kreitmayr: Emmerich Kreitmayr was an Austrian author, journalist, and geographer.
- Ludwig Kreitmayr: Ludwig Kreitmayr was an Austrian comic book artist known for creating the series ‘Nick Knatterton.’
- Georg Kreitmayr: Georg Kreitmayr was a German theologian and Protestant preacher who served in churches in Göttingen, Regenstein, and Deutz in the 19th century.
- Donata Kreitmayr: Donata Kreitmayr is an Austrian actress best known for her roles in the films 'Der Weibsteufel', 'Der feurige Engel', and 'Das verurteilte Dorf'.