Surname Kreutmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Kreutmaier: What does the surname Kreutmaier mean?
The last name Kreutmaier is of Germanic origin, and it is derived from two elements: 'kreut', a dialectical variation of the German word 'kreutz', meaning 'cross'; and 'meier', a term indicating a 'village mayor', 'innkeeper', or 'farmer'. Thus, the literal translation of this surname is 'mayor or farmer of the cross'.
The surname was most likely first borne by an individual who acted as mayor or farmer for a local crossroads or in the vicinity of a Christian cross. It is also possible that the individual served or aided travelers passing through a particular region by providing shelter, food, or other forms of assistance.
Kreutmaier can be found as a surname in several countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. Its spelling may have shifted over the centuries to account for changing language conventions. Variants of this name include Kreutmeyer, Kreutmeier, Kreunmeier, Kreutmaar, Croutmeyer, and Krantmeir.
In modern times, the Kreutmaier surname is most commonly associated with families in the United States, and many individuals are proud of their Germanic ancestry. The most famous Kreutmaier, however, is arguably philanthropist Victoria Kreutmaier, who is credited with revolutionizing modern day fundraising.
Order DNA origin analysisKreutmaier: Where does the name Kreutmaier come from?
The last name Kreutmaier is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a popularly used name, particularly amongst those of German descent, with some sources suggesting the surname was first established in the region around 1300.
Despite its ancient origin, it is still a common name today, with descendants of the original Kreutmaier family likely living all across both Germany and Austria. As of 2017, the surname ranked at 2,994 out of a total of 88,799 family names examined in Germany, and between 4,001-4,500 out of 38,799 family names examined in Austria – suggesting it is a widely used surname in both countries.
Outside of the German and Austrian regions, the surname can also be found in the United States, Canada, England, and various other countries around the world. While the exact numbers are unknown, many individuals with the surname Kreutmaier migrated or emigrated throughout the years, settling in and spreading their family name to parts of the globe outside of the region they originated in.
In various countries or states, variations of the surname may be used (e.g. Krewetmayer, Kreutmeyer, etc.) due to changes in spelling over time. Additionally, it may also be found in other parts of Europe, although the numbers are likely much lower.
Overall, the surname Kreutmaier is today mainly concentrated in Germany and Austria, but can also be found in other parts of the world, with some variations of the name also potentially being used in other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kreutmaier
The surname Kreutmaier is most commonly found in Germany, but is also prevalent in other areas across Europe. Variants of the name include Kreutmayer, Kreutmair, Kreutmeyer, Cruetmayer, Creutmayer, Kreutmayer, Kreutmaier, Kretmayer, and Crutmair.
Kreutmaier is also spelt in various ways. Common pronunciation variations include such spellings as Kreutmeir, Kreutmeier, Kretmeier, Kretmeir, Creutmeier, Cruetmeier, Kreutmeyer, Creutmeyer, and Crutmeir.
The Kreutmaier surname could have originated from the combination of two German words, “Kreut” and “Maier”. The name may have been derived from a local title for a person working in the profession of an ironer or fuller. It may also be a locational surname, referring to one who comes from the area known as Kreut, denoting a town in the state of Bavaria.
In addition, several variations of the name exist throughout Europe. In some languages, the surname is spelled without the letter “e”, as in Kreutmair. In some other cases, the surname is spelled as Creutmaier or even Creutmayer.
Other than Kreutmaier, other surnames of similar origin include Kreutmacher, Kreutmaier, Kreutmeier, Kreutleier, Kreutlmeier, Kreutzer, and Kreutzner. All of these surnames share the same roots and language. Due to the different ways the same name can be pronounced and spelt due to variations in various languages, all of these surnames can be considered to have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kreutmaier
- Robert Kreutmaier, Austrian alpine ski racer
- Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia (née Princess Maria Pavlovna of Russia), also known as Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia, Kreutmaier
- Erich Kreutmaier, German ice hockey player
- Johann Kreutmaier, German architect
- Johann Christoph Kreutmaier, German physicist
- August-Friedrich Kreutmaier, German sculptor
- Jakob Kreutmaier, Austrian painter
- Steffen Kreutmaier, German rugby player
- Elisabeth Kreutmaier-Jarry, Austrian painter
- Engelbert Kreutmaier, Austrian opera singer
- Jörg Kreutmaier, Austrian football manager
- Barbara Kreutmaier, Austrian musician and composer
- Florian Kreutmaier, German professional ice hockey player
- Stefan Kreutmaier, Austrian spiritual author
- Rudolf Kreutmaier, German professor of organic chemistry
- Wilhelm Kreutmaier, German journalist and novelist