Surname Krautkraemer - Meaning and Origin
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Krautkraemer: What does the surname Krautkraemer mean?
The last name Krautkraemer is a German surname derived from two words: “Kraut”, meaning cabbage or greens, and “Kraemer”, meaning merchant. This name likely references a family that sold cabbage or green vegetables for a business. It is also conceivable that the name could be used to reference someone who grew and sold their own cabbages.
This surname was likely first used during the Middle Ages, when trade was a crucial aspect of survival for many in Germany, and may have been in use as early as the 1400s. Even though the name began as referring to a profession, it likely shifted to becoming inherited around the 17th century. As time went on, due to the historically large numbers of German immigrants to the United States, the name spread into the Americas, where it is still used as a last name today.
The name Krautkraemer has also likely given rise to other surname variations, most notably Kraut (which is a more common variation of the name in Germany). This variant may have developed from people dropping the second part of the name as they did not full understand the original meaning.
Overall, the surname Krautkraemer is deeply rooted in German history, as it developed as an occupational name for merchants of greens. Despite its rare nature, it’s still occasionally found in many countries where German immigrants settled, as records have been kept and the name has been passed through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKrautkraemer: Where does the name Krautkraemer come from?
The last name Krautkraemer is originally of Germanic origin and is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to be derived from an old Germanic personal name, meaning one who controlled cabbage patches. It is also found in other countries with Germanic roots such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
In the United States, Krautkraemer is most commonly found in the Midwest, most notably in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. This occurrence is likely due to a large influx of German immigrants during the early 19th-century and the centuries that followed, as many of them were looking for a better life in the United States.
The most notable Krautkraemer in the United States was German immigrant Charles John Krautkraemer who was an American newspaper publisher and politician. He was born in Bavaria and immigrated to the United States in 1840. Krautkraemer served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate, and he additionally served as the publisher of the San Francisco Call newspaper from 1877 until his death in 1890.
Krautkraemer is also found in Canada, mostly in the provinces east of the great Ontario-Manitoba border such as Quebec. Recent studies have also shown that there are some Krautkraemers living in Australia and New Zealand, likely due to emigration from Germany and other countries with a strong relationship with Germany during the mid-20th century.
Overall, the last name Krautkraemer is most commonly found today in Germany and the United States, with smaller numbers spread across other countries with a connection to Germany.
Variations of the surname Krautkraemer
Krautkraemer is a German surname that is also found in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and other countries where German migrants lived. It originates from the Middle High German word ‘krut’ which means 'cabbage’ as well as the word 'krämer', which means 'merchant'. In this sense, Krautkraemer was most likely a byname for a cabbage merchant.
The variant spellings of this surname include Kroutkraemer, Krautkramer, Crautkramer, Krautkrämer, Kraitkramer and Kraitkraemer. As for surnames of the same origin, several other variations have been recorded such as Krautkrämmers, Kryatkraham, Kraitkraemers and Krautcramer.
Krautkraemer is a surname that is not as common as some others, but is still widespread in Germany and other modern-day countries where the German language is prominent. It was also common among some areas in America, particularly for those families who had emigrated from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Famous people with the name Krautkraemer
- Andy Krautkraemer: professional football player and former first-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Jake Krautkraemer: professional basketball player, currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Julie Krautkraemer: Olympic fencer and member of the United States Fencing Team.
- Richard Krautkraemer: German physicist and professor at the Technical University of Munich.
- Jim Krautkraemer: American ice hockey player and former professional goalie of the Buffalo Sabres.
- Pat Krautkraemer: renowned American saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist.
- Chris Krautkraemer: NASCAR driver and winner of multiple races.
- Felix Krautkraemer: classical music composer and winner of the German Composers Award in 2015.
- Jürgen Krautkraemer: German sculptor and professor at the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig.
- John Krautkraemer: former professional baseball player and member of the St. Louis Cardinals.