Surname Krätz - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling The Threads of My Lineage: The Unexpected Diversity behind The 'Krätz' Surname
Unearthing my ancestry through the iGENEA DNA test has completely transformed my understanding of my lineage and the way I view my family name. Rather than a simple ancestry rooted in German farming communities, my DNA told a tale of migration, adaptability and a diverse mix of European descent.
H. Krätz
read moreKrätz: What does the surname Krätz mean?
The last name Krätz is a German surname derived from the Old German word “Kratze” which means claw. This surname would have been given to a person who was best known for being skilled with their hands. It also may have been a nickname given to somebody with claws like an animal or even to someone who housed cats or ferrets.
The Krätz surname is a patronymic name, meaning it’s derived from the name of a father or ancestor. This type of name was given to a person to indicate direct lineage to a paternal ancestor, and is a common type of name found in Germanic culture.
It’s also possible that the last name Krätz was an occupational name given to a tanner or leatherworker of some kind. The term “Kratz” may have been related to some type of leatherwork or the use of claws to scrape the leather.
Overall, the last name Krätz is a German name that likely originated from the Old German word “Kratze”, meaning claw, and may have been related to the occupation of a tanner or leatherworker, or given to someone with claws like an animal. It was also a popular patronymic name used to indicate direct ancestry to a paternal ancestor.
Order DNA origin analysisKrätz: Where does the name Krätz come from?
The last name Krätz is most commonly found today in the German-speaking area, especially Germany and Austria. It is a very ancient name, first recorded in 1385. The name is derived from the Old High German word “kratz”, which means “thicket” or “hedgerow”. It’s speculated that it was originally a toponymic surname, given to individuals who originally lived near a thicket or hedgerow.
Although some branches of the name may have originally come from other countries, such as Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands, the largest concentration today is in Germany. In fact, according to genealogical records, around 70 percent of individuals bearing the name Krätz today trace their ancestry back to Germany. It is especially popular in the northern states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein. It can also be found in the eastern state of Brandenburg and the south-western states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
The name Krätz is also found in Austria today. According to the International Genealogical Index (IGI) provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), it is amongst the 50 most popular surnames in Austria. It is especially common in the south-eastern states of Styria and Tyrol, where over 5,000 individuals bear this surname.
The name Krätz is also found in smaller numbers throughout Europe, including Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Krätz
Krätz is a German surname and it has several spelling variations and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings are Kratz, Kraetz, Craez, Kraets, Kraz, Kraes, Kraetz, Kretz, Kraetz, Kretzschmar and Kretschmar.
In older forms, the German surname Krätz was spelled Kractz and Kraetz. This name was also known as Kraftz, Kratz, Krotsch and Kraetsch. These various spellings occur in documents originating in Germany in the 16th century.
The surname is known to have been derived from the word 'kräz', meaning a crease in fabric or clothing, which could refer to a family who had worked in the textile industry.
Krätz is also connected to the Swiss-German surname Kretschmar, which is derived from the Middle High German word 'kretescheren', meaning to tear. These origins likely indicate a separation from the fabric to create a garment, like a tailor or weaver, or it could mean the nameholder was a soldier, as the word 'krette' referred to a deformity that made people unfit for military service.
Krätz is a widely used surname today, and it can be found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and other countries across Europe. It is also present in some areas of North America, where it can be seen with written with the Americanized spelling ‘Krates’.
Famous people with the name Krätz
- Kurt Krätz: actor, director, and producer from World War II-era Germany.
- Erich Krätz: former professional association football player.
- Karl Krätz: member of the German Goethe Society in South Africa.
- Ulrich Krätz: two-time Swiss Olympian competing in sailing.
- Michael Krätz: creator and producer of the Altmarker Comedy Tour.
- Petra Krätz: Swiss sprinter who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Wolfgang Krätz: German tennis player who competed in the 1990 U.S. Open.
- Jonas Krätz: Austrian cross-country skier who competed in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Yvonne Krätz: German swimmers who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Terrell Krätz: winner of the American Silver Lining Mystery Award for the Best Thriller Novel.