Surname Irtenkauf - Meaning and Origin
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Irtenkauf: What does the surname Irtenkauf mean?
The last name Irtenkauf is believed to be a German toponymic surname derived from the Middle High German verb "irte" which means "to harass". This could be a reference to someone who lived near a boundary or land dispute, as these areas were often prone to disputes that needed to be settled. It may also have referred to someone who often had to fight or defend their land or property against encroachment.
The name is a combination of two elements; the prefix "irte", meaning harassing or defending, and the suffix "kauf", which indicated ownership or territory. Therefore, the last name Irtenkauf might have indicated a person who owned land or a dispute or altercation zone.
The name was common in southern Germany, primarily in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In the 18th century, it was a common last name among several noble families, as well as those of the peasant population. A further indication of the nobility associated with the name is that the oldest known document using the surname is of a noblewoman by the name of Else Irtenkaufin.
Finally, the name continues to be used today, particularly among German-speaking descendants, all of whom trace their ancestry back to the same land-owning family of the Middle High German period.
Order DNA origin analysisIrtenkauf: Where does the name Irtenkauf come from?
The last name Irtenkauf is most commonly associated with the German state of Baden-Württemberg, particularly in the cities of Stuttgart, Heidelberg, and Mannheim. It is also found in areas of neighbouring Bavaria, such as the Nördlinger Ries, and along parts of the Rhine River. Lower numbers of people with the surname can be found in other federal states of Germany, though fewer still in other parts of Europe.
The first recorded Irtenkauf was the girl Gertrud von Irtenkauff in 1339. Irtenkauff came from a noble house that owned land in Württemberg. After World War I, the Irtenkaufs found themselves in a state of economic and political decline. As new paths became available, some members of the family traveled to the United States and Canada, while others stayed in Germany, but within a few generations their presence had virtually vanished from the region.
Today, around the area of original settlements in Baden-Württemberg, Irtenkauf is still a recognized name, but with only a handful of families. Many of the family descendants living in Germany today still bear the surname Irtenkauf, but only around 20 people bear the name in its original spelling.
In addition to being found in Germany, many people with the Irtenkauf surname are now living in the United States, primarily in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In Canada, the name is quite rare, with the highest concentrations being found in Ontario and Alberta.
The surname Irtenkauf may have changed over time, but it is still widely remembered as a part of its cultural legacy. As a result, it is still a recognized name around areas of Germany where it used to thrive, and is slowly spreading outside of Germany as the generations continue.
Variations of the surname Irtenkauf
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of Irtenkauf can be divided into German and Yiddish forms. In German, the name can be written as Ertenkauf, Ertinkauf, Irtenkauf, Ertenkahf, Ertinkahf, Irtenkahf, Ertinkowf, Irtenkowf. In Yiddish, the name can be written as Ertenkach, Ertinkach, Irtenkach or Ehrtenkach.
The surname Irtenkauf is of German origin. It was derived from the given name Ertinkauf, which is derived from the Old High German name "ertinc" which means "manly" or "valiant". It was originally used as a personal name but later became a surname. It is also found as Ertincauf, Ertinacuf, Ertincowf, Ertincoff, Ertincoug, and Ertinkouf.
The surname Irtenkauf can also be seen in its Yiddish form, usually seen with the addition of the letter "H" at the beginning of the surname, thus forming Ertenkach, Ertinkach, Irtenkach and Ehrtenkach. This addition of the letter "H" is a common phenomenon in Yiddish surnames and is most likely used to indicate a form of reverence regarding the person with the surname.
The surname Irtenkauf is relatively uncommon and most commonly found among people of German-Jewish descent. It is also sometimes found among people of other European origins, though it is not as common.
Famous people with the name Irtenkauf
- Chris Irtenkauf: Chris Irtenkauf is a film and television actor, best known for his role as Ray in the Academy Award-winning movie Inglourious Basterds.
- Tony Irtenkauf: Tony Irtenkauf is a notable philanthropist and venture philanthropy expert who has had a long career working for technology companies like Dell and most recently, Microsoft.
- Kristen Irtenkauf: Kristen Irtenkauf is a well known actor, writer, and producing partner for Emagine Entertainment, a film production company.
- Paula Irtenkauf: Paula Irtenkauf is a business executive, who is best known for her work with Moët Hennessy, the luxury champagne and spirits group owned by LVMH.
- Richard Irtenkauf: Richard Irtenkauf is a former professional ice hockey player who is best known for his time playing with the Minnesota Wild.
- Luca Irtenkauf: Luca Irtenkauf is the managing director of the German worker’s union IG Metall.
- Theresa Irtenkauf: Theresa Irtenkauf is a professional opera singer and vocal teacher from the United States.
- Joe Irtenkauf: Joe Irtenkauf is a retired professional baseball player who played for the San Francisco Giants in the 1990s.
- Ana Irtenkauf: Ana Irtenkauf is a Serbian actress and filmmaker who has been part of numerous independent productions.
- Charles Irtenkauf: Charles Irtenkauf is an American professor of history at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.