Surname Kreutz - Meaning and Origin
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The iGENEA DNA test journey is an enlightening one. As a proud bearer of the surname, Kreutz, the experience offered me a profound view into my ancestral roots and vividly painted the history of my family. The test rendered my family name, Kreutz, much more than a label, but a treasure trove of stories, histories and traces of my ancestors.
I. Kreutz
read moreKreutz: What does the surname Kreutz mean?
The last name Kreutz is of German origin and is a habitational name, derived from the place name Kreutz, which is a church near the town of Wissen in the Rhineland area of Germany. It is likely that the original bearers of the name had connections with this settlement, either having lived there or associated with it in some other manner. The name itself literally means "cross" and likely made reference to a church that was dedicated to the cross of Christ.
The name was likely very common in the Rhineland area as this region was predominantly Roman Catholic for centuries. As the name eventually spread to other parts of Europe, it assumed various spellings, such as Kreutz, Krutz, Kritz, and Kritzler. In some cases, the spelling of the name was changed to include a "d" at the end, making it Kretzdorf or Kretz.
Today, the name Kreutz is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries with German-speaking populations. It is likely that almost all people with this surname share a common origin, and those with the name can trace their roots back to the Rhineland area of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKreutz: Where does the name Kreutz come from?
The last name Kreutz is a German surname found mainly in Low Franconian areas in the northwest of Germany, especially in Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also common in parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, and beyond.
The root of the surname is the Low German term “kroos”, which means “cross” in English. This gives insight into its original meaning, commonly linked to a place where the borderline of two towns or regions met, or as a sign of an old boundary stone.
Today the Kreutz surname is still present across Germany and High Franconian areas of the Netherlands, with the effects of internal migration patterns showing up in Germany, especially in some southern and western parts.
In North America, the Kreutz surname is mainly found in the United States. It is believed to have been brought to the USA by German immigrants who arrived around 1750. Early records of the surname are found in the German Palatinate region, with settlement of Kreutz families in the USA concentrated in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Today, with the rise in internet-based genealogy and access to international records, the Kreutz surname, and its various spellings, can be found in numerous countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Kreutz
The surname Kreutz is derived from an old German word meaning “border”, “boundary” or “limit”, which is why it is often associated with people living or working near land borders. The surname Kreutz has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants and spellings of surname Kreutz are as follows: Krcut, Krits, Kruts, Krutz, Kreutz, Kruz, Krotz, Kruz, Krotzmann, Kreutzmann, Krotzman, Krutzmann, Kreutzinger, Kreutzer, Kreutzerling, and Kreutzner.
Other surnames of the same origin as Kreutz include: Krutsch, Krotzke, Kreutzerle, Kretzschmar, Kreuzinger, Krüger, Kretzler, Kreutzel, Krumm, Krempel, Kröger, Kreipe, Krautwurst, Kronecker, Kronshage, Kröss, Krome, Krueger, Krull, Krämer, Krekeler, Krumhausen, Krörner, Kröpelin, Kreitner, Krejci, and Krupp.
It is possible that some other surnames developed from the Germanic Kreutz surname over time, but those are some of the most common variants and spellings of the same origin. Additionally, some people may have some variation of these names, but with different spellings or origins.
Famous people with the name Kreutz
- Bernd Kreutz: German actor who is best known for his roles in Der Untergang, Der Fuhrer, Munich, and Der Eisbär
- Derya Kreutz: Turkish model and actress who is best known for her roles in movies such as The Heirs, Love is in the Air, and Turbulent Waters
- Katarina Kreutz: German actress who is best known for her roles in television shows such as Crossing Jordan and Grimm
- Reinhold Kreutz: German actor who is best known for his roles in the German TV series Der Letzte Kreuzritter and in films like Das Boot
- Hugo Kreutz: German sculptor and designer who is best known for his sculptures located in public parks and on public squares
- David Christopher Kreutz: German entrepreneur who is the founder of the e-commerce platform Brandy Melville
- Leo Kreutz: German actor who is best known for his roles in the German movie Die Wolke and the television series Türkisch für Anfänger
- Wolfgang Kreutz: German actor who is best known for his role in the movie Der Fänger im Roggen
- Ulf Kreutz: German songwriter and musician who is best known for his work as the lead singer of the rock band Revolverheld
- Christian Kreutz: German DJ and producer who is best known for his work as part of the duo Blaze and Kreutz.