Surname Kretzmar - Meaning and Origin
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Kretzmar: What does the surname Kretzmar mean?
The last name Kretzmar is of German origin and likely stems from the word Kretschmar, or Kretschmer, derived from the Middle High German Kreczmar/Kretsmar. The term Kreczmar was originally an occupational name given to a kind of steward or treasurer who worked in Medieval castles. The etymology of the name suggests that the term itself is derived from the Palatine German word “kräz”, meaning a pot or container, as well as the Celtic word “mar”, which denotes an association of land.
The Kretzmar surname can be found throughout Germany, with its earliest appearances dating back to as early as the mid 1500s in the region of Palatine. The family continued to grow in popularity until the mid 1700s and spread across the region, eventually making its way into Austria and neighboring countries.
Kretzmar is now a common surname in the German-speaking world, and is often found among those of Jewish descent. While the original meaning of the name has been lost, it continues to serve as a reminder of the long-standing heritage of the Kretzmar family.
Order DNA origin analysisKretzmar: Where does the name Kretzmar come from?
The last name Kretzmar is commonly found today in Germany, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and other countries in South America, Australia, and Europe. It is thought to be of German origin, although its exact meaning is uncertain. Speculation suggests it may derive from either the Old German word kreutzer, a former name for a tenth of a coin, or from the town of Kretzmar in southwestern Germany. In Germany, the Kretzmar surname is most concentrated in the western states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
In the United States, the last name Kretzmar is most commonly found in the states of New York, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It is also prevalent in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. In Brazil, this surname is concentrated in the southeast region and especially in the state of São Paulo.
The Kretzmar surname has also been found in other areas of the world, including Argentina, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Israel. The Kretzmar family is especially well known in Germany, where descendants of the original Kretzmar families still live today. In America, the most popular variations of the name Kretzmar are Kretzmeyer, Kretzer, and Kretzman.
Variations of the surname Kretzmar
The surname Kretzmar is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin and is derived from the German word ‘Kreuzmayer’, which means ‘Crosssmith’. Its variants include Kreutzmayer, Kreitsamer, Kritzmar, Kritzmayer, Kreismer, Kritz, Kreazmaer, Kretzman, Kreuzmaeir, Keartsamire, Kritzmeyr, Kraitzmer, Kriktzmar, and Kreutzmaer.
Kreutzmair, Kreitsamir, Kritzmar, and Kreismer are some of the most common spelling variants. An alternate spelling of Kretzmar is Kretschmar. The surnames Kretsch and Kretch also connect to this name.
Kretzmar is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. It is also found in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.
The surname Kretschmar is a variation of the Kretzmar surname, which is found in Germany, the United States, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. The spelling variation is most likely derived from the German word for crown, “Krone”.
The surname Kretch is a variation of Kretzmar, which is found in the United States, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Slovakia. This spelling is likely derived from a nickname or shortened version of the full family name ‘Kretzmar’.
The surname Kretzman is an alternate spelling of the surname Kretzmar, and is found primarily in the United States. It is an Americanized version of the original German surname Kretzmar which was changed to sound less German.
The surname Kreazmaer is another variation of Kretzmar, which is found in Germany, the United States, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. This spelling is likely derived from a nickname or altered version of the original German surname Kretzmar.
Famous people with the name Kretzmar
- George Kretzmar: former professional baseball player who played for Pittsburgh Pirates
- Cory Kretzmar: professional golfer and PG Tour player
- Allen Kretzmar: former professional tennis player, winner of the US Open doubles title in 1978
- Dr. Dawa Kretzmar: medical doctor and healthcare innovator
- Joe Kretzmar: former professional ice hockey player who played for the National Hockey League for over 10 years
- Sam Kretzmar: professional basketball player and EuroLeague champion
- Arthur Kretzmar: former professional speed skater and Olympic silver medalist
- Lonnie Kretzmar: former professional basketball player for the New York Knicks
- Lyle Kretzmar: 12 time Canadian Junior darts champion
- Lloyd Kretzmar: former Olympic athlete in field events