Surname Kreutmair - Meaning and Origin
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Kreutmair: What does the surname Kreutmair mean?
The last name Kreutmair is of German origin and indicates a person who originally lived in Kreut, Germany. It was a popular location name during the Middle Ages, particularly in Bavaria, which is why it became a widespread surname.
The term ‘Kreut’ is composed of two parts: the German phrase ‘krout’ meaning ‘cross’, and the German word ‘mair’ meaning ‘mayor’, or ‘headman’. Together, it likely meant ‘the headman of the cross’, suggesting that the original bearer of the name held a role of importance in the town or the local area.
Since then, the last name has likely changed slightly in spelling through the generations and has spread from Bavaria to other parts of Germany, and eventually to other countries around the world. While many members of the family may still live in Germany, individuals with this last name can be found living in many countries in Europe, North America, Australia, and other parts of the world.
The people who are a part of this history are all related in some way, so it's worth taking time to recognize and honor the family's connection to their German origins. No matter how long it has been or how far away anyone’s travels have taken them, Kreutmair is a strong surname that links them to a town with deep roots.
Order DNA origin analysisKreutmair: Where does the name Kreutmair come from?
The surname Kreutmair is most commonly found in the south German region of Bavaria, particularly in the Upper Palatinate, along with parts of Austria and the Czech Republic. The earliest records of the family date back to 1661, when Johannes Kreutmair was born in the parish of Wambach, Bavaria. Other notable places where the surname is found in greater numbers are Austria’s Tyrol region and the city of Vienna, Pakistan, Slovakia, the United States, and Canada.
In terms of the United States census, the last name Kreutmair is most prominent in Ohio, followed by New York, California, New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. According to published records in 2019, the highest concentration of individuals with the last name Kreutmair reside in Florence, South Carolina, with a population of just over 170 people.
Currently, the last name Kreutmair is not particularly rare with an estimated 6,500 individuals carrying it. With the migration of Europeans across the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the last name has spread further afield to the United Kingdom, Latin America, and even Australia. While the name was once associated with Bavaria and Austria, it is now a much more widely dispersed last name that spans the globe.
Variations of the surname Kreutmair
The surname Kreutmair has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Kreutmair (Kruitmair, Kreytmair) is a popular German surname derived from the Middle High German phrase “kroitmaere” or “kreutmaere”, which means “crossing steward” or “crossroads steward”. The spelling is found in various old documents and charters, and was likely originally related to the area around Haltern am See in Westphalia, where the spelling had been in use as early as 1301.
Other variations of the spelling include Kreitmeier, Kreitmair, Kreitmayr, Kreutzmair, Kreutmeier, Kreutzmeier, Kreutzmayr, Kreßmair, Kratzmair, Krätzmair, Kratzmeier, Kreutmeyer, and Kreildein.
The variation spelling "Kreuthmair" was used for German settlers who moved to Hungary during the 17th century, and this originated from Austria. Another variation “Krzymiri” can be found in contemporary Poland, and this spelling is a result of influence from the Polish language.
Outside of Europe, the spelling has also been adapted to local languages and customs. For example, Kreutmair in Canada can be found spelled Kreytmair and in the United States it is often spelled Kroitmair.
A popular alternative surname related to Kreutmair is Kreuzmair. This is derived from the Middle High German words “kruoz” (detail) and “mar” (master), which when combined can be translated to “master of the detail”. This variation has also been adapted outside of Germany, including Kreuzmayer in Austria, and Kreuzmuyer in the United States.
The surname Kreutmair is an old name of German origin with many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variations are not limited to those listed, and many other adaptations have been created in different languages and regions across the world.
Famous people with the name Kreutmair
- Friedrich Kretzschmar (born 1941), East German dissident and political prisoner
- Christian Kretzschmar (1808–1889), German painter
- Johann Kretzschmar (1777–1828), German draughtsman and engraver
- Sigmund Kretzschmar (1838–1891), German artist and photo-mechanical printer
- Hermann Kretzschmar (1781–1839), German composer
- Wilhelm Kretzschmar (1853–1931), German astronomer
- Eduard Kretzschmar (1890–1967), German silversmith
- Reinhold Kretzschmar (1914–1991), German-born American Lutheran bishop
- Otto Kretzschmar (d. 1939), German choral conductor and academic
- Anne Kretzschmar (born 1974), French athlete