Surname Kathe - Meaning and Origin
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Kathe: What does the surname Kathe mean?
The last name Kathe is of German origin. It is derived from the German given name Katherine, which is ultimately derived from the Greek name Aikaterine or Αικατερινη, meaning "pure". The name was popularized by martyred early Christian St. Catherine of Alexandria.
The name Kathe can also be a form of the German name “Katharina”, which shares the same Greek origin and meaning. Kathe is also a surname in Dutch and Jewish cultures, most likely derived from the given name as well.
In modern day, the surname Kathe is common throughout Germany and the greater European continent. It is also found among different cultures across the world, such as in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and India.
The meaning and origin of the surname Kathe suggests a family history of faith and purity. As time has gone by, the name has adapted to many different cultures and people, and it can be seen as a symbol of strong familial ties. It speaks of a deep and connected past, filled with the determination and drive to succeed.
Whether the surname is that of German, Dutch, Jewish, or any other cultural origin, Kathe remains a beautiful and meaningful name that has been passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKathe: Where does the name Kathe come from?
The last name Kathe is most commonly found in Germany. The name is derived from followers of St. Catherine and was first found in the southern German city of Augsburg. According to some sources, the surname dates back to at least 1563 when a certain Friedrich Kathe was listed in the city’s records. Since then, it has spread throughout the surrounding area. Even today, the surname Kathe is widely found in southern and central Germany, especially in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg.
Outside of Germany, Kathe is occasionally found in the United States and other countries where German immigrants and their descendants live. However, these occurrences are quite rare as the name remains more grouped within its native area.
Today, the vast majority of people with the surname Kathe still trace their origins back to Germany. It is interesting to note that the surname has generally been held by more well-to-do families throughout its history. It is likely that some of them still own vineyards, breweries, or other businesses that Kathe families had owned over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Kathe
Kathe is a German, Dutch, Swedish and Danish surname. Variants of this surname are Kaethe, Kaatje, Kaatje, Kaethe, Kathemann, Kathemann, Kathe, Kaat, Kaatmann, Kaatman, Kaat, Kaaten, Kaatje, Kaatman, Kaatmans, Kaetting, Kaettinger, Kaetings, Kaetzer, Kaetz, Kaetze, Kaetzer, Kaetzner, Kaetznerin, Kaetzsch, Kaetzschner, Kaetzschnerin, and Kaetze.
In German, the spelling Kaethe changes to Kath if the final letter is spoken with a hard "th" sound. This spelling is found particularly among families that have lived in North America for several generations.
In Swedish, the name takes the form of Katte. The associated surname of this spelling is Kattegatt.
In Danish, the spelling Kaat takes on the various spellings of Kaatmann, Kaatman, Kaatmans, Kaatje and Kaetze.
In Dutch, the spelling Kaatje takes on the various spellings of Kaatjes and Kaatmanns.
In the United States and Canada, the spelling Kaethe is primarily found among families of German or Dutch descent. It may also be found in the form of Kaad, Kaage, Kaase, Kazard, Kase, and Kass.
Famous people with the name Kathe
- Rebecca Kathe: International pianist, composer, music producer and multi-instrumentalist from Germany.
- Otto Leichter Kathe: German painter and graphic artist, who worked in Oldenburg, accurate art of humanities
- Max Kathe: German psychologist notable for his research in the field of behavioral and cognitive psychology
- Christa-Maria Kathe: German feminist poet and author known for her work in defense of women’s rights and gender equality.
- Johannes Kathe: Bavarian sculptor known for his large sculptures in a classicistic style.
- Theodor Kathe: violinist in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and an instructor at the Dresden Conservatory.
- Gertrud Kathe: German jurist, also known for her work in Scandinavia.
- György Kathe: Hungarian film director, screenwriter and producer.
- Papa Shee Kathe: English-born Ghanaian contemporary artist and producer based in Ghana.
- Reinhard Kathe: Swedish chemical crystallographer and professor emeritus of crystallography.
- Conrad Kathe: Polish-Austrian-German industrialist, businessman, entrepreneur, and railroad magnate.
- Frauke Kathe: German multimedia artist and filmmaker.
- Manfred Kathe: German track and field athlete and 1963 European decathlon champion.
- Wilhelm Kathe: German military aviator during World War II.
- Cecilia Kathe: Norwegian diplomat who works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway.