Surname Kreitmair - Meaning and Origin

Kreitmair: What does the surname Kreitmair mean?

The last name Kreitmair is of German origin, meaning ‘one who lives near or near a well or stream’. The name is derived from the German words ‘Kreit’ (which means ‘well’, ‘stream’, or ‘water source’) and ‘mair’ (which translates as ‘near’ or ‘close by’).

The family name can be found throughout Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and other German speaking countries. It is a common surname dating back to the Middle Ages and likely became popular due its literal connotation of proximity to water. This could have been essential in the Middle Ages where water was often a scarce resource and strategically important to a family’s growth and survival.

Per the report of the house and family researchers, the Kreitmair surname is among the most noble and respected families in Austria. The first written evidence of this surname is of a German count, Konrad von Kreitmair from Bavaria, in the year 1135.

The modern Kreitmairs are often of Viking descent and trace their origin back to the 10th century. Many of them still represent their Viking tradition with live performances, artwork, and literature. They also keep tradition by running public festivals, open markets, and being active in their local communities.

The Kreitmair surname is an ancient and distinguished name with a long history. It is associated with bravery, loyalty, service, and a love of water, something which continues to evoke the adventurous spirit of its first members.

Kreitmair: Where does the name Kreitmair come from?

Today, the last name Kreitmair is believed to be most common in Germany and Austria, though it has also been found to have spread more widely across Europe. According to genealogy research, Kreitmair has been an established surname in Germany since at least the Middle Ages, with the earliest known records of the name traceable to the 13th century in south-western Germany.

Due to the early records of Kreitmair in Southern Germany, it is thought to have derived from one of two main sources: Alsatian or Franken (German). Today, the surname Kreitmair is most prevalent amongst German-speakers, though it is beginning to spread to other parts of the world. Furthermore, many people with the Kreitmair surname originate from small communities in Germany where the name remains quite common.

According to the forebears surname database, Kreitmair was the 8243rd most common surname in Austria in 2019. Additionally, it was the 14,749th most common German surname overall in that same year. The name Kreitmair can also be found in some parts of the US, specifically in areas with large German-speaking populations.

Overall, the surname Kreitmair is most common in German-speaking regions in Europe, though it has spread to areas such as the US as well. With the increasing number of people travelling and migrating, the surname will likely continue to spread to other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Kreitmair

The surname Kreitmair is a Germanic surname thought to have originated in Bavaria around the 16th century. It is thought to have derived from the German word for 'universal', "Kreit". Throughout time, the surname has taken many variants such as Krete, Kreteis, Kretes, Kreteys, Kretmair, and Kreitenmair.

Kreitmair is also spelt as a number of variants including Creitmeier, Kreitmayer, Kretmeir, Kretmeyer, Krätmayer, Freytag, and Freytaz. These spellings have subsequently diversified further to become surnames in their own right, such as Critmeir, Kreditmeyer, Raymond, Raum, Creitmilder, Critmilder, Kreatmeyer, Kreatmilder, Kreatmyer, Krätmilde, Kratmilder, Kreitmilder, Kretmilder.

Kreitmair also has several related surnames, which are derived from similar Germanic roots, including Kraytman, Krietman, Krayzman, Krietzman, Kreytman, Kreitzman, Kreitzmann, Kreitsman, Kreitman, Kreitmann, and Kreitmayr. The spelling has also been influenced and transformed into surnames in other languages, such as Kuretman in Dutch, and Kretschmann in with Polish and Jewish origins.

Overall, Kreitmair is a strongly rooted Germanic surname, which has spawned numerous variants, spellings, and even surnames in their own right, during its evolution over centuries. It has been greatly influenced by other languages to produce various new surnames and has been used to create numerous powerful family names around the world.

Famous people with the name Kreitmair

• Stephan Kreitmair: an internationally renowned lecturer and mentor about leadership and organizational culture. He is the author of the books “Cultural Leadership” and “Adaptive Leadership”.
• Christian Kreitmair: a German professional footballer who plays as a defender for SpVgg Unterhaching and the Germany U-21 national team.
• Frank Kreitmair: Austrian politician and member of the Freedom Party. He currently serves as chairman of the district council of Feldkirchen.
• Wolfgang Kreitmair: German artist and sculptor who has held exhibitions in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
• Paul Kreitmair: German art director who has won numerous awards for his work in the film industry.
• Gail Kreitmair: American soprano singer and vocal teacher who has performed in opera houses throughout Europe and the United States.
• Max Kreitmair: German journalist and editor who has written for newspapers and magazines such as the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” and “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
• Karl Kreitmair German: neurosurgeon and professor of medicine at the University of Bochum.
• Martin Kreitmair: German avant-garde artist and sculptor whose works can be seen in art galleries and museums across Europe and the United States.
• Peter Kreitmair: German actor who is known for his work in feature films, television films, and theatre.

Other surnames

KreitmaierKreitmayerKreitmayr