Surname Kuttelwascher - Meaning and Origin

Kuttelwascher: What does the surname Kuttelwascher mean?

The last name Kuttelwascher is believed to be derived from the German word ‘Kutte’, which is a type of garment worn by monks and other religious orders. 'Wascher' is a German word meaning 'washer'. In German, the word 'Kuttelwascher' means 'washer of the robe'. This surname is likely to refer to a professional robe washer in days gone by.

The Kuttelwascher surname is generally found in the German-speaking parts of Europe today, and is mainly carried by the descendants of the very same family who used it centuries ago. It is also possible that some of those who adopted this name may not have had any connection to religious orders, but simply took the same name for practical reasons.

Over the years, the etymology of the word has also expanded to include the idea of a person who takes pride in their appearance, or take great care in their dress and personal presentation.

The Kuttelwascher family is said to be particularly prolific in the Southern regions of Germany, though the name is also found further afield, being carried by those who emigrated from German-speaking countries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the Kuttelwaschers are likely to be found in Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, as well as in North and South America and parts of Australia.

Kuttelwascher: Where does the name Kuttelwascher come from?

The last name Kuttelwascher is not common today but has been found in various European countries. The origin of the surname is German and is thought to have derived from the German words "kutteln" meaning 'tripe" and/or "wascher" meaning 'washer.' The name could have originated out of an occupational-related name, given to someone who worked with tripe or offal.

The surname is present in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Czech Republic. In 2008, the United States census listed less than 200 people with the last name Kuttelwascher. In Germany, there are just over 2,500 Kuttelwascher's, and a majority of them live in the regions of Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Hesse. Fewer Kuttelwascher's can be found in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In Luxembourg, only a handful of people with the surname Kuttelwascher live in the towns of Helperknapp and Dudelange. In the US, the states of Texas, Missouri, and Virginia have been known to have a few people with the name.

The meaning of the surname has not been definitively established but it’s likely that it has something to do with working with tripe or offal. However, the name may have also originated from other professions or locations, so further research is required to know with absolute certainty.

Variations of the surname Kuttelwascher

The surname Kuttelwascher is a German name. It is derived from the German word Kuttelwäscher, which translates into English as cudchewer. This surname is thought to have been used to describe someone who washed sheep’s intestines, so that the fat and deposits can be sold as a type of salami.

Different variants, spellings and surnames have been derived from the original German name. Some of the variants, spellings and surnames include Kiddlewasher, Cotelwaser, Keadelwosher, Kudelwasser, Koteleswaser, Getelwascher, Katatalwacher, Kattelwasher, Keddelwascher, Keddelwasser and Kuttelwasser.

In addition to these variants, there are also several other surnames that are related to the original German surname. The surnames Kocher, Kocor, Kochar and Koocher, which are all derived from the German word köchen – meaning to cook – are all related to the surname Kuttelwascher, as these similarly describe someone who was involved in preparing food, though not necessarily involving the washing of sheep’s intestines.

The English translation of the original German surname is also thought to be related to the names Kettle and Kettleman, which both describe people who work with or make kettles – vessels used to hold liquids.

As such, there are a wide range of variants, spellings and surnames that can be derived from the original German surname Kuttelwascher. All of these have a common root in that they describe a person who is engaged in some kind of food preparation or cooking.

Famous people with the name Kuttelwascher

• Karl Kuttelwascher: better known as Kelis, singer.
• Angelika Kuttelwascher: Actress and model.
• Paul Kuttelwascher: Former German footballer (soccer).
• Monika Kuttelwascher: Paralympic ski racer.
• Sarah Kuttelwascher: South African actress.
• Pinar Kuttelwascher: German flutist.
• Jenny Kuttelwascher: Icelandic singer and songwriter.
• Anton Kuttelwascher: Austrian defensive midfielder.
• Dr. J. Peter Kuttelwascher: German neurologist.
• Ernst Kuttelwascher: German actor.
• René Kuttelwascher: German film director.
• Ludwig Kuttelwascher (1823–1905): German collector of Schwabian folk art.
• Wilfried Kuttelwascher: German car collector.
• Isidor Kuttelwascher (1797–1886): Austrian Jewish lawyer, politician, and journalist.
• Carsten Kuttelwascher: German lightweight rower.
• John Kuttelwascher: American musician and songwriter.
• Agnes Kuttelwascher: Austrian voice teacher.
• Karl Kuttelwascher I (1890–1962): German opera singer.
• Abraham Kuttelwascher (1841–1925): Jewish painter.
• Annalisa Kuttelwascher: Italian actress.

Other surnames

Küttelwäsch