Surname Kroenke - Meaning and Origin
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Kroenke: What does the surname Kroenke mean?
The last name Kroenke can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany. It is derived from the German word "Kroening," which translates to mean "kingly." This name was given to those who held royal or noble rank, most likely as a title of respect by their peers.
The name is associated with people of German descent, though variants exist in other countries as well, such as in Denmark ("Kroening"). The root of the name in most cases carries the same meaning of "kingly" or of someone holding a high office.
The Kroenke family has had a long and varied history. Even more than 800 years ago, there was a Kroenke family who could trace their lineage back to the noble house of the German margraves. Over the centuries, the family has held and distributed various titles, served in a variety of positions, come to and from various locations, and held various degrees of success overall.
A few famous descendants of the Kroenke family include Stan Kroenke of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Jeffery Kroenke, the founder of several successful companies. Both of their success in the business world have helped to bring the Kroenke name to higher levels and industry frontrunners.
Overall, the last name Kroenke is tied to those of high social or noble rank, and has been around for centuries. It also stands for many successful people, be it those throughout history or recent billionaires, and the name remains a proud badge of honor for those whom it is carried by.
Order DNA origin analysisKroenke: Where does the name Kroenke come from?
The last name Kroenke is mainly concentrated in the United States, but can also be found in other countries as well. According to surname databases, the last name Kroenke is most common in the Midwest, with its highest concentrations in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. Additionally, the last name Kroenke is found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is most common in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany.
In the United States, the last name Kroenke is particularly widespread in Missouri due to its German heritage. St. Louis County, home of St. Louis, Missouri, is the most populous county in the United States to have Kroenke as its most common last name. Colorado has a notable population of Kroenkes, with Denver, Colorado, having the highest concentration of Kroenkes per capita in the U.S.
The last name’s history can be attributed to the fact that the majority of immigrants to the United States with the last name are of German descent. The Kroenke spelling of the last name is particularly associated with German settlers. However, the last name Kroenke can also be found among Ashkenazi Jews, which suggests the family is of ancient Jewish ancestry as well.
Variations of the surname Kroenke
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kroenke all are derived from the selfsame German surname Kröning. Along their journey through subsequent generations and countries, those bearers of the Kroenke name have given the surname a variety of spellings.
The most common spelling variation of Kroenke is Kroening, with Krounke, Crounke and Krounke being less formally used. Spellings with an umlaut, such as Kröning, Kroening, Kröhnke, Krohnke and Krouhnke, are also found in records and documents.
Variations of Kroenke can also be found that incorporate other languages, such as the Dutch Kroonke, Croonke or Krownke, and the Polish Kronicki. Fewer now are the French Crispin and Crisspon, and the Medieval English Kroune, Croune and Crone (as in 'the old Crone').
Due to the established variations of this German surname, bearers of Kroenke might wish to search for past relatives in records with alternative spellings. Harvesting the richness of this surname's anatomy, historians and genealogists have been able to connect dots in a fascinating web of family stories.
Famous people with the name Kroenke
- Stan Kroenke, a billionaire sports mogul based in the US.
- Lydia Kroenke, an American professional golfer.
- Josh Kroenke, American sports executive and son of Stan Kroenke.
- Walter Kroenke, American entrepreneur and the father of Stan Kroenke.
- Kay Felt Kroenke, the mother of Stan Kroenke.
- Dmitriy Kroenke, a Russian ice hockey player.
- Steve Kroenke, the president and CEO of MidFirst Bank.
- Butch Kroenke, the former professional relationship banker at Morgan Stanley.
- Daniel and Theresa Kroenke, the sons of Stan and Ann Walton Kroenke.
- Illene "Bitsie" Kroenke, the daughter of Stan and Ann Walton Kroenke.
- Kristen Kroenke, the daughter of Stan and Ann Walton Kroenke.
- Ann Walton Kroenke, the wife of Stan Kroenke.
- Rachel Kroenke, an American logistics professional.
- Alfred Kroenke Jr., an American entrepreneur and the father of Walter Kroenke.
- Ray Kroenke, an American media relations advisor.
- Chad Kroenke, an American business executive and the CEO of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
- Richard Kroenke, a former American football player.
- Paul Kroenke, a financial advisor.
- Stephanie Kroenke, an American television news anchor.
- David Kroenke, an American professor and author of computer science books.