Surname Kräuter - Meaning and Origin
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Kräuter: What does the surname Kräuter mean?
The last name Kräuter is a German surname derived from the old High German word “krūti” meaning “herb” or “plant”. This name likely originated as an occupational name used to describe someone who worked with herbs or plants such as an apothecary, pharmacist, or herbalist. Over time the name Kräuter evolved to become a surname, with many individuals who had this name commonly working in the herbalism or botanical trades.
This last name is found most commonly in Germany along with other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland. Due to its German origin it also has alternate spellings, including Krauter, Kruter, and Krautzer.
Kräuter is one of the many German surnames that consists of words for plants and animals, indicating a tradesman or person connected to agriculture or the process of gathering food. This trend in German surnames has much to do with the culture, in which the majority of people worked in more natural or rural trades such as farming and herding animals. German surnames with these types of origins typically describe a unique trait or trade of the family, thus reflecting how families were identified or differentiated centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisKräuter: Where does the name Kräuter come from?
The surname Kräuter is found mainly in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name is derived from the Old High German term “kruodari” meaning “herbalist.” As such, it likely originated as a name given to a healer who specialized in medicinal herbs. In modern-day Germany, the surname Kräuter is most common in the states of Bavaria and Nordrhein-Westfalen and is also found in smaller numbers in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Sachsen.
Throughout the centuries, some members of the Kräuter family have migrated to other parts of the world, leading to the surname being found in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and France, among other countries. In the United States, they are primarily found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Michigan, while in Canada they are mainly located in Ontario.
In addition to the surname Kräuter, variations of the name may also exist, such as Kräuterer/Krauterer and Kräutle/Krautle. Furthermore, the spelling of the name within the same family can also vary, such as the German-language surnames Kräuter/Krauter and Kräuter/Kräupl.
Despite its relatively localized nature, the surname Kräuter is still relatively common in its traditional German-speaking homeland as well as other parts of the world, having been given by a family of healer-herbalists long ago.
Variations of the surname Kräuter
The surname Kräuter is derived from the Middle High German 'krût' meaning “herb”. It is also related to the occupational name for a person who gathers or deals in herbs. Various variants, spellings, and surnames exist derived from this root word.
In Germany, there is the German and Dutch 'Krüter', 'Krut', 'Krutar', 'Kruta', 'Krutz', 'Krauter', 'Krout', 'Kroot', and 'Krutweit'. In Poland and Jewish, there is 'Kraut' and 'Krautmann'. In Eastern Europe, there is 'Kruter'.
In Austria, there is the surname 'Kräuter', 'Krautl', 'Krautler', and 'Krautl Oswald'. In Switzerland, there is 'Kruter' and 'Krütter'. In France there is 'Kroet', 'Kroeten', 'Krooter', and 'Kruter'. In Italy, there is 'Krauter' and 'Krautner'.
In Scandinavia, there is 'Krut', 'Kruthen', and 'Kruts'. In England, there is 'Crauter' and 'Krauter'. In the United States there is 'Craut', 'Kraut', 'Krauter', 'Krauts', 'Kroeter', 'Kroetsch', 'Krout', and 'Krutch'.
The variants are widespread and can be found in Austria, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, France, Italy, America, Scandinavia, England, and Eastern Europe. The surname is used to denote a person who is related to herbs or were herb-gatherers or merchants.
Famous people with the name Kräuter
- Franz Kräuter (19th-century German theologian and philosopher)
- Joanna Kräuter (Polish-born composer and violinist)
- Robert Kräuter (18th century German sculptor)
- Lorenz Kräuter (Austrian painter and illustrator)
- Fritz Kräuter (American politician)
- Johannes Kräuter (German composer and organist)
- Alex Kräuter (professional wrestler and kickboxer)
- Lion Kräuter (Dutch artist and painter)
- Maximilian Kräuter (German musicologist)
- Dieter Kräuter (German psychology professor)
- Harald Kräuter (German psychiatrist)
- Elli Kräuter (German actress)
- Paul Kräuter (19th century German dye-maker and chemist)
- Kristian Kräuter (Norwegian internet celebrity)
- Wilfried Kräuter (German writer and media producer).