Surname Kriechbaum - Meaning and Origin

Kriechbaum: What does the surname Kriechbaum mean?

The last name Kriechbaum is German in origin and is derived from the word “Kriech,” meaning “crawl” or “creep,” and “Baum,” meaning “tree.” It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a particular type of tree or on a sloping hillside. The surname is most commonly found in the areas of Bavaria, Austria and the Czech Republic, although some people have taken the name abroad.

The first known recording of the name Kriechbaum is from the town of Kreinburg in 1687, where onePeter Krichbaum was registered. Other mentions of the name include Johannes Krichbaum in the records from 1711 in the “State records of North Rhine-Westphalia, ” and Anna Kriechbaum in the “Church in the Village of Borschemich” from 1722.

The name Kriechbaum is still found in Germany today, with the most densely populated area being in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also relatively common in Austria and the Czech Republic, and a small number of people with this last name are found in the United States.

The name Kriechbaum holds a special significance that goes beyond its meaning in German. To many people with the surname, it signifies shared roots and a close bond with their ancestors. Those with the name are proud of their heritage and view the name as a testament to their history and the stories of those who came before them.

Kriechbaum: Where does the name Kriechbaum come from?

The surname Kriechbaum is a fairly common last name mainly in German-speaking countries, in particular in Austria and Germany. It is also widely spread throughout Europe, particularly in countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

The name itself is derived from the Low German word ‘kriech’ meaning ‘crawl’ and ‘baum’ meaning ‘tree’, most likely referring to a tree with a low growing trunk. This name was likely given to someone with a small stature or who lived near a small tree.

Today, the surname is still prominent throughout Europe, with some individuals living in the United States as well. According to an Ancestry.com name distribution survey conducted in 2000, the monetary density of the Kriechbaum surname was highest in Austria followed by Germany and Slovakia.

The exact origins of the surname are still unknown, however there is evidence that the name has been associated with Austria since at least the 17th century. Interestingly, there is also a possibility that the name was brought to other countries, such as the United Kingdom, by German settlers during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Overall, the surname Kriechbaum is widely spread amongst many European countries as well as parts of the United States today. The exact origin of the name remains a mystery, however it is believed to have its roots in German-speaking countries such as Austria and Germany.

Variations of the surname Kriechbaum

The surname Kriechbaum, also spelled Kreichbaum, is believed to be of German descent, but has multiple variants and spellings. Common variants include Kriegerbaum, Kriegbaum, Krähenbühl, Kreigbaum, Krügerbaum, Kriecherbaum, Kriechbaum, Kreicherbaumer, Kreighbaum, Krugbaum, Kreuigbaum, Kriechberg, Kreigerbaum, and Kreigbaumer.

The majority of the variants are either a combination of other roots or a regional spelling of the original form. For example, Kriegerbaum combines the root "Krieger" (warrior) and "baum" (tree); Krähenbühl combines the root "krähe" (rook) and "bühl" (hill); and Kreigerbaum combines the roots "kriech" (crawl) and "baum" (tree).

In some regions, the name is spelled "Kriechberg", referring to the mountain (berg). There is a village in Germany with this variant: Kriechbaumburg.

The variations of Kriechbaum discovered thus far indicate a desire to geographically place the name to an area or homeland. Each of the variants is a testimony to the spread of the Kriechbaum family, as it was prolifically adopted by alternative surname-holders in different regions.

Generally, the spelling of a surname depends on three factors: regional accents, political influence, and pronunciation. In some cases, names may have been changed because of immigration or the need to distinguish themselves from one another. With a surname like Kriechbaum, the variations have likely been caused by these factors, rather than its German origin.

Famous people with the name Kriechbaum

• Richard Kriechbaum, Austrian composer
• Brandon Kriechbaum, American Film Producer
• Elizabeth Kriechbaum, American Artist
• Scott Kriechbaum, Swiss Actor
• Bruce Kriechbaum, American Composer
• Harold Kriechbaum, German Journalist
• Lawrence Kriechbaum, Austrian Composer
• Freddie Kriechbaum, American Photographer
• Janos Kriechbaum, Hungarian Sport Climber
• Vera Kriechbaum, Austrian Editor

Other surnames

Kriechbaumer