Surname Kratochwil - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kratochwil: What does the surname Kratochwil mean?
Kratochwil is a Germanic surname derived from two Slavic words - krata meaning "crown" and chwil meaning "moment". It is believed to have been adopted in Germany during the Middle Ages, as the area of Slavic culture in the region was sizable at the time.
The literal translation of the name is "crown in a moment," symbolizing an individual's ability or right to be crowned, or to achieve greatness. This could represent the victory of an individual in a particular event or the honoring of a leader or ruler. In some cases, the name was a title of nobility bestowed upon certain families in honor of their achieved greatness.
In Germany and throughout Central Europe, Kratochwil is a very common surname, as it was used in many cultures under various spellings. In addition to Germany, it can also be found in places such as Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Kratochwil is still fairly common today, and bearers of the name can be found in many different countries. However, the most prominent populations bearing the name are in areas where there are strong Germanic heritages, such as the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisKratochwil: Where does the name Kratochwil come from?
The last name Kratochwil is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, especially Poland and Germany. It is one of the more common surnames in these countries, and it is believed to have originated in the area during the Middle Ages.
In Poland, many people with the last name can trace their ancestry back to the small village of Kratochwil in the south-eastern part of the country. This village is the likely origin point of the name, as it was a former stronghold of a local nobleman. The surname has been present in the village for many generations, and it is still here today.
In Germany, the surname is a bit less common, but still popular in certain areas. It is most popular in Bavaria and Lower Saxony, and it is believed that the surname was introduced into the country via immigration from Poland during the 19th century.
Outside of Europe, the surname is quite rare. It has been found in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia, but only sporadically. In most of these places, it is more likely that the people with this surname are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants from Europe.
Variations of the surname Kratochwil
The surname Kratochwil is an interesting one, and there are several variants and spellings out there.
Kratochwil is originaly Czechoslovakian in origin, and therefore has multiple spellings in those local languages, such as “Kratochvil”, “Krotochvil” or “Krotochvíl”, depending on the dialect.
The surname can also be found spelled in German as “Kratochwill”, “Kratochwile”, “Krotowil”, or “Krotowill”, usually referring to someone originally from the border towns of Czechoslovakia which have historically been part of German-speaking areas.
In Polish, the spelling of this surname is usually “Kratochwil” or “Kratochwila”. In some areas, locals have also adopted this spelling and called themselves “Krot”.
The surname has also been known to be spelled in English as “Kratochwil” or “Kratochvil”.
The various surnames derived from Kratochwil include “Krotempski”, “Krotowski”, “Krotowskii”, “Krotanowski”, “Krotarzewski” and “Krotarzyk”. They all derive from the same original surname “Kratochwil” and denote a Slavic origin.
In summary, the surname Kratochwil has various spellings and variants, with some being of Czechoslovakian origin and others being of German, Polish, English or other Slavic origin. Its derivatives include Krotempski, Krotowski, Krotowskii, Krotanowski, Krotarzewski, and Krotarzyk.
Famous people with the name Kratochwil
- Lothar Kratochwil: German cinematographer
- Misa Kratochwil: Australian actress
- Roberta Kratochwil: Austrian actress
- Dieter Kratochwil: German football manager
- Leo Kratochwil: Czech pianist and composer
- Andy Kratochwil: German Field hockey player
- Klaus Kratochwil: German engineer and inventor
- Johannes Kratochwil: German chef and recipe developer
- Lucas Kratochwil: Austrian singer and songwriter
- Josef Kratochwil: Austrian composer
- Erich Kratochwil: Austrian musician
- Herbert Kratochwil: Austrian architect
- Erika Kratochwil: Austrian athlete
- Bernd Kratochwil: German water polo player
- Gerhard Kratochwil: Austrian biathlete
- Julius Kratochwil: Austrian dancer
- Margarethe Kratochwil: Austrian opera singer
- Elisabeth Kratochwil: Austrian painter
- Alois Kratochwil: Austrian sculptor
- Sigurd Kratochwil: Norwegian professor of philosophy