Surname Katt - Meaning and Origin
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Katt: What does the surname Katt mean?
The last name Katt is an occupational surname of German origin, thought to originally derive from the Middle High German ‘Kot’ or ‘Katte’, a term used to denote an individual who constructed or repaired dams, weirs and fish traps. This type of craftsmanship was required during the medieval period of German history and an individual with the trade would be given the occupational name of ‘Katt’. This surname spread throughout Germany and many people ultimately started to use it as their own family name.
Today, the surname is still active and has spread around the world, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada and Australia. It can also be found in places like Finland, where it is often spelled ‘Kattelus’ which is a variant form of the original German name.
In today’s society the surname has become a symbol of hardworking individuals with a strong background in technical labor and can be used to show a proud heritage of building that can be handed down for future generations to come. It also can be used to show a connection to the medieval period, and its craftsmanship throughout Europe. This surname gives a proud nod to those who helped contribute to the development of our modern societies today.
Order DNA origin analysisKatt: Where does the name Katt come from?
The last name Katt is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and several other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark. It is also found in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern and Southern regions.
The Katt surname has many possible origins, including an occupational origin from a combination of the German words ‘katt’ or ‘katte’ which means ‘catcher’. This refers to a job that involved trapping or killing animals for food or fur. It may also be a nickname referring to an individual’s alertness or mischievousness.
The name is also seen in other forms such as Catt and Katte in some countries. The name is quite rare in most parts of the world, and there are only approximately 17,000 people with this surname today.
In many parts of Europe, the Katt surname has seen a gradual decrease in frequency over time. By contrast, in the United States, the frequency has experienced a slight increase since the 1990s. There are approximately 2,700 individuals currently living in the US with the Katt surname.
Variations of the surname Katt
Katt is an Anglo-Saxon surname with several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname Katt include Catt, Catte, Katt, Kette, Kitt, and Kitts.
The Germanic spelling Katte is also found, while the French variant of Katt is Chatte.
Variants of the English spelling of the surname are Catt, Cater, Cat, Kater and Keat.
Surnames of similar origin include Kat, Kattel, Kater, Katte, Kitt and Kitts. The German variant Katte is also related to the surname Katt.
There are many variant spellings of the surname Katt that originate from other languages. For example, the Italian variant is Cattano and the Spanish variant is Cattan. In Portuguese, variants such as Catão and Catanho exist.
The surname is also found in Scotland, with variants such as Catt, Ket, Kissack, Kitt, and Kitson.
The English wording Katt is related to surnames such as Catt, Cattan, Cattell, Catan, Cattell, Kattles, Katte, Katel, Kattel, Kates, Kettles, Kettel, and Kittles.
The origin of the surname Katt is uncertain. Some believe it might derive from the Old French word cattus, meaning cat. Others suggest that the name originated on the Isle of Man, where people originally used the word ‘katt’ to refer to someone of mixed-race or a European with dark hair.
The surname Katt has been popular in England since at least the thirteenth century. It is most common in Northern and Central England, where the surname is found most frequently.
Famous people with the name Katt
- Kevin Katt: an American actor best known for appearing in films such as Guys and Dolls, Grease 2, and Zapped.
- Katie Katt: American actress who has appeared in shows such as Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, We Bury the Dead, and Enraged Sun. She is also part of the improv comedy troupe Whitefire.
- Miles Katt: American musician and YouTuber who makes songs such as "If I Could Change" and "Old Man".
- Jonathan Katt: German actor who has appeared in projects such as Der schöne Udo, Aus Liebe zum Untergang, and Die Minibusflucht.
- Lina Katt: German actress known for her appearances in films such as Der Tross der Trauer, Die Gedankengefangene, and Zucker & Zimt.
- Judy Katt: American country singer and songwriter known for her classic hits such as “Truck Stop Diner” and “Hello There Sunshine”.
- Dave Katt: American stand-up comedian and actor who has appeared in popular shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Reno 911!.
- Vera Katt: American television personality and makeup artist who has been a judge on Project Runway and a mentor on Face Off.
- Mary Katt: Canadian model and actress known for her appearances in films such as White Out and Hunter's Moon.
- Fritz Katt: German painter whose work can be found in several European art galleries and museums.