Surname Kratz - Meaning and Origin
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read moreKratz: What does the surname Kratz mean?
The last name Kratz is of German origin and is thought to have originally derived from an occupational name for a “racket-maker” or “cutter” who fashioned and sold utensils made from wood or metal. These “krätzers” crafted their utensils from a variety of materials, including boxwood, steel, copper, brass, and iron. Although Kratz is a relatively uncommon surname today, it was fairly common in Germany during the 14th and 15th centuries.
The earliest recorded mention of the surname Kratz dates back to 1389 when a certain Johannes Kratz of Nuremberg was mentioned in the city’s tax records. Later documents also mention Hennich Kratz, who served as the “chief carpenter” in 1470, and Johannes Kratz, who held the post of “inspector of arms” in 1519.
Today, the last name Kratz is most closely associated with the Kratz family from Pennsylvania, a branch of Mennonites who emigrated from Germany some 300 years ago. The Kratz family was highly influential in the establishment and growth of many communities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, including of Ely, Easton, and Allentown.
Order DNA origin analysisKratz: Where does the name Kratz come from?
The last name Kratz is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is primarily a German surname from the Middle Ages and the early modern era, particularly among members of the lower nobility or known artisans, and later as a result of migration to cities during the industrialization period. In the United States, it is mostly found in states with significant German or Swiss-German American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This surname is also encountered in small numbers in other countries with German-speaking populations or those with deep historical connections to Germany, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The exact origin of the name Kratz is unclear as there is more than one possible source. One explanation is that it derives from the Middle High German word "Kratz" which means a scratch or incised mark, and thus this might have been an occupational name for someone who specialized in etching or carving. Another possibility is that it originates from the Old High German word "kraxan" meaning to crackle, and hence it might have been an ethnic occupational name for someone who worked with a specific type of cooking or grinding implement.
Finally, the name Kratz may also have been based on a physical feature of the individual such as a naturally freckled or dappled appearance, or the presence of a particularly noticeable mole or mark on the face or skin.
Regardless of its origin, the name Kratz is still found in countries with significant German populations today. If you have this last name, you likely have some connection to German heritage, and are part of a centuries-long tradition that stretches from medieval Europe to today.
Variations of the surname Kratz
The surname Kratz is of German origin and has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of Kratz are Kratz, Kraatz, Kraatz, Kratzer, Kroetz, and Cratz. Other variations that appear less frequently include Kraczinski, Krachinski, and Krochinski.
In addition to the various spelling options, the surname Kratz has a number of surname alternatives that denote the same origin. These include Krattele, Knotz, Krezinski, Knorz, Krasinski, Knorr, Kraske, Kretschmer, Krazynski, Kreft, Krawczynski, and Kresge, to name a few.
The origin of the surname Kratz can be traced back to the German word "Kratzen," which means to scratch. It is believed that surnames containing this prefix were given to those who had a profession that involved scratching or incising such as a craftsmen, tailors and shoemakers.
Kratz has been an old surname ever since it was first recorded in the 16th century in the city of Württemberg in Germany. Since then, the surname has spread all over Europe, particularly to countries such as France, England, Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria and elsewhere. Its presence in the United States is mainly a result of German immigration.
Famous people with the name Kratz
- Richard Kratz: public policy analyst who serves as the Director of Policy Development at the Atlantic Council's Global Business and Economics Program
- Barth Kratz: German abstract painter
- Heidi Kratz: music composer, conductor, and professor at the University of Michigan
- John Kratz: American actor known for his roles on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Suits, and How To Get Away with Murder
- Summer Kratz: Canadian artist and musician
- Reggie Kratz: former Major League Baseball player
- John A. Kratz: American ice hockey player
- Benjamin Kratz: German actor and rapper
- Greg Kratz: lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Blur
- Michael Kratz: German mixed media artist