Surname Kreutze - Meaning and Origin
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Kreutze: What does the surname Kreutze mean?
The last name Kreutze (or Krütze) originates from the German word, “Kreutzer”, and refers to people who made combs or hairpins. In some regions of Germany, this name was also used as a nickname for a person who was much loved and popular.
Today, the last name is most commonly found in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. It is also found in other countries, including the United States and Canada.
The meaning of the name is thought to suggest that the person is a bit of an old-fashioned or traditionalist, which you can see in their penchant for making combs or hairpins that were typically used in the olden days.
The name has been around since at least the 18th century, when it appeared in German records. It was likely adopted by people who were immigrants from other regions of Germany.
In modern times, Kreutze remains an uncommon surname, with an estimated 10,000 people with the last name living in Germany today. It is not a very common surname, so it can be quite distinctive for those who do have it.
Order DNA origin analysisKreutze: Where does the name Kreutze come from?
The last name Kreutze is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the country's western and northern regions. It is also common in other parts of Europe, especially in Scandinavian countries such as Finland and Sweden. It is much less common in other parts of the world, but can occasionally be found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Kreutze is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German words kreutze and krute, which referred to a tool between a shovel and a hoe. By extension, people whose job was to use this tool became known as Kreutze. The surname was quite common in Medieval Germany, and many descendants of those original families still carry the surname today.
For geneology enthusiasts, it can be interesting to look into the history of the Kreutze surname. With the help of records from Church archives or civil registration offices, it is sometimes possible to trace families back as far as the 17th century. The research can reveal interesting stories of different Kreutze family lines, and how they have moved and spread across different countries over time.
Today, Kreutze continues to be a relatively common surname in Germany and other European countries. Although rare in other parts of the world, it is possible to meet a Kreutze (or various variants of the name) in many different countries.
Variations of the surname Kreutze
Kreutze is a German and Dutch name that is most common in Germany, Netherlands, and some parts of the United States. It is derived from Middle High German 'kruz or kruzze,' meaning 'cross' or 'sign of the cross.' Depending on the region, spellings of the name vary slightly such as: Kreutz, Kreutzer, Kreuzz, Kreuze, Kreuzele, Kreutzel, Kreutzemacher, Kreuz, Kreuzen, and Kreuzenbaum.
The variants of the surname are mainly derived from the original spelling of Kreutze. Additionally, the surnames of Kreutzmann, Kreutley, Kreutziger, and Kreutzfeldt are derived from the original Kreutze. In some cases, the names might have originated with different spellings like Grefkreutz or Grevekreutz, and have evolved into their present-day form.
In the USA, some of the more common variants of Kreutze include Kreutzer, Kruitze, Kritzer, Cruitze, and Kreutzele. All of these surnames have the same meaning, which is signified by the cross in the spelling.
The surname Kreutze has its origins in Europe, however, due to the migration of individuals across the world, it has found its way to the United States and other countries. As a result, many individuals of this surname now are found around the world, in both its original spelling and various variants.
Famous people with the name Kreutze
- Gustav Kreutzer, composer and violinist
- Nikolas Kreutzer, German rugby Union player
- Herman Kreutzer, German engineer and entrepreneur
- Karl Kreutzer, German actor
- Jessica Kreutzer, German television host
- Ludwig Kreutzer, Swiss architect
- Hugo Kreutzer, German painter and graphic artist
- Niels Kreutzer, Dutch artist
- Wilhelm Kreutzer, German musicologist and composer
- Jimmy Kreutzer, American baseball player