Surname Grosse-Kathöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Grosse-Kathöfer: What does the surname Grosse-Kathöfer mean?
The last name Grosse-Kathöfer is a German surname, and is likely a combination of two distinct family names. “Grosse” is a German word for “big,” typically referring to one’s size or stature, while “Kathöfer” appears to originate from the German words “katholisch” and “pfarrer”. The first word is a reference to the Catholic religion, while “pfarrer” means “pastor” or “priest”. Taking these two words together, Grosse-Kathöfer likely refers to a family with a Catholic background or ties to a Catholic church. It could possibly even refer to a family with a high-ranking clergy member.
The Grosse-Kathöfer family is originally from Germany, and the name has an ancient origin, likely dating back to the 18th century. During this time, many European families began to adopt hereditary surnames. Before this time, most people did not have surnames and were identified by a given name and a location. The Grosse-Kathöfer family likely adopted the last name as a way to distinguish themselves from other families in their region, and to mark their heritage and religious affiliation.
Given its origins, the name Grosse-Kathöfer carries a lot of meaning, both historically and personally for the family. Its evolution with time shows how family names have changed over time and how they can represent the religious, social, and personal identity of a family.
Order DNA origin analysisGrosse-Kathöfer: Where does the name Grosse-Kathöfer come from?
The last name Grosse-Kathöfer is common in Germany and other countries with German heritage, as it originates from a German surname. It is most commonly found in the north of Germany, particularly in the northernmost state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders the Baltic and North Sea. It is also quite common in adjacent regions of Germany and neighboring countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland.
The name may have originally begun with a man named Grossmann, meaning “large man” or “great man,” and evolved over time into Grosse-Kathöfer through a combination of regional and cultural influences. Its literal translation is "large and small/small", often indicative of a small family group or neighboring farms.
Grosse-Kathöfer survives in part because of its relatively recent adoption (around the 15th Century) and thus, because of its relatively modern language. As German emigration increased throughout Europe and the world, the name spread far and wide. It can be found today in many countries including Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Grosse-Kathöfer is a testament to the elasticity of language and culture over time, with a name that has both gone around the world but also stayed close to its original home.
Variations of the surname Grosse-Kathöfer
The surname Grosse-Kathöfer is a German name of locational origin, based on a place in Germany called Kathöfer. It is found in a variety of spellings, including Gross-Kathofer, Gross-Kathöfer, Grosskathofer, Grosskathöfer, Grosse-Kathofer, Grossekathofer, and also Groschkathofer. Surnames with variants that are believed to have the same root are Katter, Katen, Kater, Katzer, Katherfürst, Kather, Katheramer, and Kathamer.
Grosse-Kathöfer is derived from the Middle High German word 'kato'. It translated to mean 'cat's fur', which is the Old German word for fur. The word also means 'cat's-eye' in Middle High German, though this is not related to the surname.
Grosse-Kathöfer is an old and established surname. The oldest known traceable ancestor is Johannes Katherofer, who was mentioned in the Hesse-Nassau Civil Records in 1643. This suggests that the surname has been used for several hundred years.
The spelling variations of Grosse-Kathöfer are thought to have arisen due to continual migrations of the family away from their home area. As people moved around or migrated to different countries, surname spellings changed to reflect local dialects. This means that anyone carrying the surname Grosse-Kathöfer today may have ancestors from different countries.
Famous people with the name Grosse-Kathöfer
- Marlene Grosse-Kathöfer (1947: present), independent German singer/songwriter
- Julius Grosse-Kathöfer (1890: 1981), German philosopher and theologian
- Eva Grosse-Kathöfer (1930: 2017), German children's music writer and teacher
- Johannes Grosse-Kathöfer (1867: 1940), German surgeon
- Fritz Grosse-Kathöfer (1902: 1985), German World War I flying ace
- Jochen Grosse-Kathöfer (1909: 1984), German Nazi Party politician
- Constantin Grosse-Kathöfer (1795: 1867), German Reformed Church theologian
- Karl Grosse-Kathöfer (1903: 1962), German U-boat commander
- Georg Grosse-Kathöfer (1924: 1975), German opera singer and professor of voice at the University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig
- Ulrich Grosse-Kathöfer (born 1935), German World War II veteran and author