Surname Kreuter - Meaning and Origin
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Kreuter: What does the surname Kreuter mean?
The surname Kreuter is of German origin and has two possible origins. The first is derived from a geographical origin, from a place called ‘Krohter’ located near Düsselberg in the Rheinland area of Germany. This place name was created at some point in the Middle Ages and was still being used in the late 19th century. A second possible origin is from a profession such as a Kräuter (herbalist), or from the term Kruter meaning simply ‘herbs’.
Due to its two possible origins, the surname Kreuter is likely to have been used by various families living in different regions of Germany for a long time. It is likely that the first families who adopted the surname had very specific geographical, farming, or herbalist-related occupations. It is also possible that the name could have been derived from other origin points, such as an energetic person being given the affable nickname “Kruter” (energetic one), or a specific place near the Rhine called “Kruter”.
The surname Kreuter is still in use today in Germany and other countries, where descendants of the various Kreuter families over the course of time have settled. It is also sometimes spelled with a “u” or a “t”, so the spelling can vary from place to place depending on local dialects. The surname is likely to have been used by people all over the world who are related to the original families from Germany who adopted it.
Order DNA origin analysisKreuter: Where does the name Kreuter come from?
The last name Kreuter is found primarily in Germany and Austria. It is also a popular surname in Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein as well. The surname is believed to be derived from the German word ‘kreut’ which means cross. It is most likely an occupational name referring to someone who worked as a carpenter or blacksmith.
There are a few notable people with the last name Kreuter, including professional skier Georg Kreuter, master craftsman Johann Jakob Kreuter, nineteenth century ophthalmologist Johan Friedrich Kreuter, nineteenth century German philosopher Friedrich Kreuter, and nineteenth century politician John Kreuter.
In the United States, the Kreuter surname is quite uncommon and it is not among the top 1000 most common surnames. According to the US Census Bureau, the name Kreuter only occurs in about 500 households in the United States. When compared to other countries, the Kreuter surname is much more common in Germany, where it ranks at #1743 as one of the top 2000 last names. The surname is also common in Austria, where it ranks #742 among the top surnames.
The surname Kreuter does not appear very frequently today, however it is a long-standing name with centuries of history. It has historically been a name of artisans, scholars, and politicians which may have contributed to its longevity.
Variations of the surname Kreuter
The surname Kreuter has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Kreuter is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'krewiter' meaning ‘innkeeper, steward, or proprietor of an inn, tavern.’ The major variation of the surname is 'Kräuter.' In Germany, 'Krauter' or 'Kreuter' is a well-known family name.
Kraueter/Krauter is a variant of the Kräuter/Kreuter surname that emerged in the area around Paderborn, in western Germany. It is a regional spelling variant of the same name.
Krueter/Krueter is a variant of the Kreweter/Kreuter surname that is seen in the Hesse area of Germany. The spelling has been adapted to the local dialect.
Kreuter/ Kreweter is found in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and may be an altered form of Kräuter/Kreuter.
Crocker/Krocker is another variant of Kräuter/Kreuter. It is common in the area of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Germany and derived from the German word 'kreuter.'
Kruta is a Jewish (Ashkenazic) variant of Kräuter/Kreuter. It was predominantly found in the Galicia region of Eastern Europe.
Kreuterle/Kreuttle is a variation of the Kreuter/Kreuter surname, which is derived from the Middle High German word 'krewiter.' It is also found in the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in Germany.
Kreuterl/ Kreuterl is a spelling variant of the Kreuter/Kreuter surname. It is found predominantly in Austria.
Other spelling variants of the Kreuter/Kreuter surname include Kreuter, Kreutler, Kreutel, Kreutz, Kreutzer, Kreutter, Kramer, Krüter, Krayer, Kreuzer, Kraut, Krep, Krajewski, and Kraetschmer.
When researching the origin of the Kreuter/Kreuter surname, it is important to keep in mind that surnames can change significantly in spelling over generations, and variant spellings often have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kreuter
- Marcel Kreuter: Professional Footballer from Germany
- Hayley Kreuter: Famous American Youtuber and Blogger
- Jürgen Kreuter: Retired German Footballer
- Ernst Kreuter: Swiss Painter and Sculptor
- Hermann Kreuter: German Painter
- Theodor Kreuter: German Theologian
- Johann Christoph Kreuter: German Composer
- Franz Kreuter: German Cinematographer
- Harry Kreuter: American Professional Basketball Player
- Bella Kreuter: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker