Surname Kratschmer - Meaning and Origin
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Kratschmer: What does the surname Kratschmer mean?
The last name Kratschmer is of German origin and is likely derived from the Middle High German word "krache" meaning "buzzing, rattling, or crashing sound." It is likely that the name Kratschmer was originally given to someone who lived beside or near a place where loud noises were frequently heard. Over time, this name became a hereditary surname, indicating either that the bearer's family originated from such a location or that the father bore the same name.
The Kratschmer surname is found in various forms, such as Kracl(m)er, Krachtmer, Kratscher, Kratshaller, and Kratschmann, most commonly in the German states of Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia, and Hungary. In recent times, many Kratschmers have migrated to the United States and other parts of the world, carrying the name with them.
Today, it is estimated that there are a few thousand people around the world bearing the Kratschmer surname, making it a relatively rare name. Despite this, its German roots are clear, and the Kratschmer name bears a testament to the generations of people it has been passed down to throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisKratschmer: Where does the name Kratschmer come from?
The last name Kratschmer is most common in Eastern Europe. It is mostly found in Germany, Poland, and Russia with some instances in other Slavic nations.
Today, there are an estimated 2,000 people with the surname Kratschmer residing in Germany. This makes it the 126th most common surname in the country, although it was among the ten most common surnames at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is also quite common in Poland, with the Polish spelling being Kraczmer or Kraczmer. Here, the surname is the 433rd most common.
The estimated population of Kratschmers is much lower in other European countries. For example, there are only 42 people with this surname in Austria and 45 in Switzerland.
Outside of Europe, there are fewer people with the Kratschmer surname. The United States Census Bureau estimates that there are fewer than 200 American citizens with this surname. Canada has a similarly small Kratschmer population, with fewer than 100 people.
Thus, the greatest concentrations of people with the Kratschmer surname today are in Germany, Poland, and Russia. It remains relatively uncommon in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Kratschmer
Kratschmer is an occupational surname from the German language. It comes from the word “Krätze”, meaning “to chop/cut” and is related to the word “Krämer,” meaning “shopkeeper.” It was often used to refer to someone who was a craftsman, tailor or wood-chopper, or to describe someone who ran an inn or tavern.
Variations of the Kratschmer surname include Kratzmer, Kratchmer, Krazmer, Kratschemer, Kretschmer, Kraetschmer, Kretzmer, Kretzschmer, Kretzschmayr, Kretscher and Kretschmar.
Spellings for the Kratschmer surname depend mainly on the particular language of origin. In English, the most common spelling is Kratzmer, but in German and Dutch it is often spelled Kratchmer or Kratschemer. In Polish, it is commonly spelled Krazmer, while in Yiddish it is spelled Kretzschmer.
Surnames related to the Kratschmer surname include Kramm, Krämer, Kratz, Kratze, Kraus, Krebs, Kreft, Kreischer, Kreuz, Krieg, Kroschel, and Krupp.
Most of these surnames were derived from similar occupational or regional origins. For instance, Kramm was often used to denote a shopkeeper or merchant in Germany, while Kratz and Kratze typically referred to a tailor or wood-chopper. Kreft, Kreischer and Kreuz were all associated with fur-making, while Krieg was used to describe someone who fought in a war and Kroschel identified someone from the village of Kroschel. Lastly, Krupp referred to someone who lived near a well.
Famous people with the name Kratschmer
- Kumaraswamy Sunil Kratschmer: a renowned Indian filmmaker, television producer and director.
- Charlette Kratschmer: an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Mrs. King in the film "Annie".
- Helmut Kratschmer: a German physicist and research professor at the University of Tübingen.
- Paul E. Kratschmer: a German born artist and illustrator based in Los Angeles.
- Gerald Kratschmer: an Austrian writer, who focuses mainly on literary biography and literature.
- Günther Kratschmer: a German artist and sculptor who is known for his avant-garde objects and sculptures.
- Jürgen Kratschmer: a retired German professional footballer who played as a central defender.
- Martha Kratschmer: a German psychologist and psychotherapist who is widely known for her therapeutic approach.
- Kåre A. Kratschmer: a Dutch composer, classical singer, and conductor who is the founder and director of the Amsterdam Operetta Choir.
- Georg Kratschmer: a German chemist and professor at the University of Leipzig who contributed to the development of organic chemistry.