Surname Kroeker - Meaning and Origin
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Kroeker: What does the surname Kroeker mean?
The last name Kroeker is a German-derived name which is believed to be derived from the dialectical Low German word, “kroke,” which means a small animal or birds that is hunted in a corner or a small area. The occupational surname originally denoted a hunter or trapper of small animals. It is also believed to be derived from the Middle-Low German word "Kröker," which means a tavern keeper or someone who serves ale in a tavern. As a result, Kroeker is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone who worked in a tavern either selling ale or hunting small game to feed patrons.
Over time, the name has grown to represent more than hunter or tavern keeper. The people who bear the name today may be kepters of their own cultural identity, with an emphasis on education, hard work, and embracing tradition. They may also make use of their entrepreneurial spirit and unique talents to carve out a successful life for themselves.
No matter their occupation, Kroekers are known for being important members of society, displaying an attitude of open-mindedness and celebration of other cultures. They strive for success, while never neglecting to be courteous and respectful to those around them. The Kroeker surname stands for a commitment to family, a kindred spirit for the world, and a gift for making the most of life.
Order DNA origin analysisKroeker: Where does the name Kroeker come from?
The last name Kroeker is of Germanic and Dutch ancestry and is common today mainly in Europe as well as North America. In Europe, it is mostly found in countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Russia.
In North America, Kroeker is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Within the United States, the states with the highest concentration of Kroeker surname holders are Nebraska, Iowa, California, and Minnesota. California also has the largest number of Kroekers overall due to large influx of Germanic settlers in the mid-1800's.
In Canada, Kroeker can be found mainly in the west coast provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. British Columbia was home to a large Germanic-speaking population in the early 1900s, accounting for the higher concentration of Kroekers in the province.
Kroeker is also becoming increasingly popular in western Asia, specifically in India. It is said that there were early German and Dutch immigrants to the Indian subcontinent, likely due to trading opportunities offered by port cities such as Kochi. It is likely that at least some of the descendants of these immigrants carried the name Kroeker which has since spread amongst the Indian population.
Variations of the surname Kroeker
The surname Kroeker is a German-Jewish, Ashkenazic habitational name that originated in Prussia. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a bend in the road or a crick, derived from the Middle High German and Low German 'kröke' meaning 'bend in the road, crick'. The variants, spellings, and surnames associated with Kroeker are Kroecker, Croecker, Kroeck, Krocker, and Krock.
The earliest known record of the surname is found in 1432 in Johann Kroeker's birth record. During the 15th to 16th centuries, the phrase 'auf Kroeckers Schimmel' meaning 'on Kroecker's gray horse' was used in some documents. This indicates that some people already had the surname before the 16th century.
In 1730 a family of Kroecker from Langbargwedde, Hanover immigrated to Prussia. This branch of Kroeker, which became Krockoy (a variant) upon arriving in Prussia, had seven children. Two of them settled in the Sambian region, which is now known as eastern Germany, while the other five settled in Tiegenhof, which is now located in west-central Poland. Mennonite immigrants from the Krockoy family, as well as other surname variants such as Kroecker, Krocker, and Krock, took refuge in Russia and North America in the early 1800s.
Kroeker has also been spelled Kröker, Kroekers, Krockers, Krockers, and Krockers. Variations of the name are found in the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
In conclusion, it can be said that the surname Kroeker is derived from the Middle High German and Low German 'kröke' meaning 'bend in the road, crick' and has many variants, spellings, and surnames associated with it. These include Kroecker, Croecker, Kroeck, Krocker, Krock, Kröker, Kroekers, Krockers, Krockers, and Krockers. There are many branches of the Kroeker family in many countries around the world, especially in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Famous people with the name Kroeker
- Mark Kroeker: Retired United States Army Vice General
- Valerie Kroeker: Minnesota State Representative
- Helmut Kroeker: German footballer
- Ted Kroeker: Canadian speed skater
- Heidi Kroeker: Canadian television actress
- Marjolein Kroeker: Dutch swimmer
- Gerry Kroeker: Canadian politician
- Victor Kroeker: Canadian aviator
- Esther Kroeker: Canadian politician
- Stan Kroeker: Canadian politician