Surname Kreuzhuber - Meaning and Origin
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Kreuzhuber: What does the surname Kreuzhuber mean?
The German surname Kreuzhuber is derived from the Middle High German word "kruz" which means cross. It is likely that the original form of the name came from a personal characteristic of the initial bearer, describing an individual with a cross or crucifix worn on them. This could be indicative of a particular faith or religious belief.
Kreuzhuber is also similar to the Slavic name Kruzic, which is likely a cognate of the Middle High German word. Thus, the name may be of Slavic origin.
Kruzhuber can also be found as a topological name, indicating that the bearer was once either from or lived close to a crossroads. In the Middle Ages, crossroads were an important hub in many rural areas and towns. As such, many people who lived close to one of these hubs likely adopted the name.
In modern days, the name Kreuzhuber is used across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the USA. It is also particularly prevalent amongst German-speaking emigrants who have settled in North and South America.
Order DNA origin analysisKreuzhuber: Where does the name Kreuzhuber come from?
The surname Kreuzhuber is most common in Austria and the adjacent countries of Bavaria, Czech Republic, Tyrol and Liechtenstein in the alpine region of Central Europe. According to the 1990 Austrian Census, the Kreuzhuber family name was the 59th most common name in the country. The name Kreuzhuber is derived from a Seeberg region in Lower Austria, which is a mountain range along the valley of the River Morava.
The frequency of the Kreuzhuber surname in Austria has declined steadily since its peak in the 1930's. This is most likely due to emigration patterns, as condition of living have improved over the course of the 20th century and non-Austrian and German-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Today, Kreuzhuber can be found in more places than just Austria and its surrounding countries. Due to the process of globalization and migration, there are now Kreuzhuber families in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. In the United States, Kreuzhuber can be found primarily in the eastern states, particularly in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Keeping with the spirit of new global identities, many Kreuzhubers have taken on hyphenated surnames and married into families of other ethnic backgrounds. However, significantly fewer Kreuzhubers have been involved in intermarriage than other Austrians. This could explain why the Kreuzhuber name is still relatively concentrated in its country of origin.
Regardless of where Kreuzhubers are today, they likely come from a long line of skilled craftsmen and farmers, representing the essence of the Alpine region in Central Europe.
Variations of the surname Kreuzhuber
Kreuzhuber is a German surname derived from the words "Kreuz," meaning cross, and "Huber," a common German surname meaning "farmer." Variants of the Kreuzhuber surname include Kreutzhüber, Kreuzhüber, Kreutzhuber, Kreuzhuber, Kreutzhoeber, Kretshuber, Kretshüber, Kretshuber, Kretshüber, and Kritzhuber.
The surnames Kreutsdörfer and Kreutzdörffer are related to the Kreuzhuber surname. Both names are formed by taking the first letters of the two words in the Kreuzhuber surname (Kreuts = Kreuz and Dörfer = Huber) and adding the German “dörfer” suffix that changes its meaning to “village.” Thus, the two names created are “Kreuts Village” and “Kreutz Village” or Kreutsdörfer and Kreutzdörffer.
Kreutzer is another variant of the surname, not derived from the words “Kreuz” and “Huber.” Instead, it originates from the word “Kreuzzer,” an Old German word derived from the Latin “Crucifer” that literally meant “one who carries a cross.”
The Kreuzhuber surname can also be found in Austria under the variants of Kreuzig, Kreutzig, Kreuzinger, Kreutzinger, Krezinger, Kreziger, Kritzer, and Kritzing. In Alsace, the Kreuzhuber surname is found under the variant forms of Kwritzer, Kreiter and Kreytzer.
In the United States, the spelling of the surname usually switches to "Kreitzer," due to the anglicization of European surnames.
Famous people with the name Kreuzhuber
- Alexander Kreuzhuber: Austrian professional footballer
- Max Kreuzhuber: German former handball player
- Sarah Kreuzhuber: German competitive swimmer
- Siegfried Kreuzhuber: Austrian physician and major contributor to the field of pathology
- Freiherr von Kreuzhuber: Austrian Baroque architect active in Vienna
- Peter Kreuzhuber: Austrian chess player
- Thomas Kreuzhuber: Former Austrian politician
- Josef Kreuzhuber: Austrian theatre director and actor
- Mathilde Kreuzhuber: Retired German sprinter
- Jürgen Kreuzhuber: Austrian hurdler