Surname Krehmer - Meaning and Origin
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Krehmer: What does the surname Krehmer mean?
The last name Krehmer is of German origin and has various theories regarding its meaning. One interpretation states that the name derived from the old German word “kraemer”, meaning an artist or crafter of small wares such as buttons, buckles, or brooches. This would suggest that at one time, the Krehmer family may have been involved in some form of crafting.
Another explanation links the surname to the region of Germany known as Kremma, located in the former East Germany. The name may then have been derived from the German phrase “von Kremma”, meaning “from Kremma”.
Other interpretations are that the surname was originally derived from a personal name, such as Cremer, a forename meaning crofter or mercer, suggesting that an ancestor was either a peasant farmer or a middle-class tradesman.
Krehmer can also be a variation of Krämer, a surname which has its origins in Middle Low German and refers to a peddler, or travelling trader.
Whether it is Krehmer, Cremer, Kremmaera, Kremma, Krämer or some other variation, one thing is clear: the last name Krehmer has a long and interesting heritage all over Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKrehmer: Where does the name Krehmer come from?
The surname Krehmer is most commonly found today in Germany and the United States, as well in countries that were once part of Germany or have strong German heritage, such as Austria, Switzerland, and many countries in Eastern Europe. According to the Forebears website, it is the 4,005th most common surname in the world, with the highest population in Germany.
In Germany, Krehmer is found mostly in the north and east, with the highest concentrations found in the states of Saxony, Berlin, and Hamburg. In the United States, the highest concentrations of the surname are in Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, and Georgia, which all have large populations of German immigrants.
Krehmers can also be found in Central and South America, particularly in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, which have received waves of German immigrants, and in countries such as Canada and Mexico, where German immigrants have a long history of settling.
As for its etymology, Krehmer is thought to be derived from the old German word "Krahmer," which was thought to mean a trader. The name may also have been derived from the German words "krahmen," meaning to encroach, or "Krahm," meaning a potter or a crook.
Variations of the surname Krehmer
The surname Krehmer has a variety of spellings and variants, some of which bear an entirely different meaning than the original spelling.
The most common spelling of Krehmer is Krahmer, which is the original name of the family. Other versions of this name include Kraemer and Kramer. These alternate versions of Krahmer may have come about because of different national languages and dialects, and even geographical locations, as the name has come to be used in many addiitonal countries over time, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and even parts of Eastern Europe.
Other variants of Krehmer include Krähmeier, Krahmear, Krämmer, Kroe’mer, Krehme, Kremmer and Krehme. Additionally, Krehmer is related to a few surnames, such as Kremers, Kreimers, Krehmers, Kreumsers, Kramers, and Kremerts.
In summary, Krehmer has multiple spellings and variants, and even some closely related surnames, due to its long-spanning occurrence over different countries, languages, and dialects.
Famous people with the name Krehmer
- Frank Krehmer: former German sprinter, known for his performances in the 1960s at the European Athletics Championships, who gained two 4th place finishes at the 1964 and 1966 editions.
- Erich Krehmer: German entrepreneur and entrepreneur who, in 1952, founded the company Meyer und Krehmer GmbH & Co. KG, which manufactures and distributes industrial and medical gases.
- Johann Gottfried Krehmer: German composer, organist and conductor active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Hans Jürgen Krehmer: German chess Grandmaster and German Chess Championship winner in the 1950s.
- Christina Krehmer: Swiss slalom canoeist, active in the late 1990s and early 2000s, who competed in the 1998 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Johannes Krehmer: German economist who held the post of Minister of Economy and Energy of Hamburg from 1998 to 2001.
- Ralf Krehmer: German alpine skier, who represented his country at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
- Klaus Peter Krehmer: German luge athlete who represented hiscountry at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Bernd Krehmer: German engineer and inventor, as well as a businessman in the automotive industry, who was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2007.
- Sascha Krehmer: German short-track speed skater, who represented her country at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympic Games.