Surname Kortbein - Meaning and Origin
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Kortbein: What does the surname Kortbein mean?
The last name Kortbein is of German origin and is derived from the words 'Kurt' and 'Bein'. In German, 'Kurt' refers to a man with an honourable and courageous character, and 'Bein' is the German word for leg. Thus, this surname was likely once given to someone in German society who was known for their bravery and courage. Over time, this name spread across Europe, most likely through migration and migration of people of German descent.
The Kortbein name is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages. During this time, in an effort to reduce legal disputes and help people prove their identity, individuals began adopting heritable surnames. Furthermore, since a name like Kortbein would immediately reference an individual’s former occupation as a warrior or courageously brave character, it’s likely that it was adopted by many German families.
To this day, the legacy of the Kortbein surname lives on. It is common in Germany and other parts of Europe and is also increasing in popularity around the world, in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The Kortbein name continues to be associated with qualities of bravery, courage, and honour, and is certainly a name that carries an important legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKortbein: Where does the name Kortbein come from?
The last name Kortbein is a German surname which can be found in many countries in Europe today. The name is most common in Germany, where it is ranked in the top 500 most common surnames in the country. It is also popular in countries with German-speaking populations, including Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Italy.
In addition to Europe, Kortbein can be found in countries with large German diasporas such as Brazil and the United States. In the United States, it is particularly common in states that once belonged to the German Confederation such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Missouri. In Brazil, the name is found mainly in the southern states bordering Argentina such as Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul, as well as in other states with large German-Brazilian populations such as Mato Grosso.
The first known documented use of the name Kortbein occurred in the early 1500s in Bremen, Germany. The name is composed of two elements, the first being Kort, which is of uncertain origin, and the second being Bein, which translates as “leg.” Thus, the name is thought to mean “short leg” or “a person with a short leg.” This meaning is reflected in the coat of arms of the Kortbein family, which depicts a blue-footed bird, signifying a short-legged bird.
Variations of the surname Kortbein
Kortbein is an Estonian-origin surname, which is often spelled as Kortbin, Kurtbein, or Kurtbin. It is also commonly written in German as Kortbien or Kortbahn. Other variants are Kortenbein, Kurtbyn, and Kortbyn.
The surname Kortbein is typically associated with the area of former East Prussia, which is now part of Lithuania and Poland. It also originated in Central Europe, where it is believed to have been derived from the Biblical name "Kurtis." This region is known for its German population and associated surnames.
The original Estonian spelling of Kortbein is Kortbien. This variant has been commonly used in Estonia since the mid-19th century. The gap in the middle of these two letters was used to differentiate between the Latvian and Estonian spellings of the surname. In the past century, many Estonian-origin individuals began using the shortened spelling of Kortbin, which has since become the most frequently used form of the surname.
Kortbein is a fairly common surname in Estonia, and is found in other countries in Central Europe as well. In Germany, there is a street in Berlin bearing the name Kurtbähn; and in other German-speaking countries, it is occasionally found as Kurtbein and Kurtbien.
Surnames such as Kortbein, Kurtbein, and Kurtbin are traditionally associated with the larger family of East Prussian surnames, and many families with these surnames are connected to one another. It appears that individuals with this surname are often connected to other families from East Prussia, despite the fact that the original spelling has changed over time.
Famous people with the name Kortbein
- Bill Kortbein, American Paralympic athlete
- Wayne Kortbein, past CEO and Warren Industries, Inc.
- Dr. Joe Kortbein, psychologist and author
- Janice Kortbein, Senior Business Financial Planner
- Ryan Kortbein, professional skier
- David Kortbein, Marine Corps veteran and author
- Matthew Kortbein, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist
- Mary Kortbein, biologist and environmental scientist
- Richard Kortbein, professional bridge player
- Kari Kortbein, opera singer
- Steven Kortbein, Professor of Interventional Radiology at Northwestern University
- Robert Kortbein, financial analyst
- Terry Kortbein, former CEO of American Security Bank
- Patricia Kortbein, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA
- Barbara Kortbein, anti-nuclear activist and governing board member of the National Conference on Women's Health Issues