Surname Baumkratz - Meaning and Origin
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Baumkratz: What does the surname Baumkratz mean?
The last name Baumkratz is a German-language surname derived from the words "Baum" (meaning "tree") and "Kratz" (meaning "scratch"). The name is thought to have originated from the Middle High German word “bomkrāz”, which was used to describe someone who had the skill of a forester. Those who bore the last name would have likely been skilled and knowledgeable in forestry, and likely in charge of taking care of forests for a particular region. The name also could have evolved from someone who scratched trees with a grove or a broad axe to mark them as their own.
In modern times, the surname Baumkratz is still commonly found throughout Germany, Austria, and the surrounding countries. In the United States, it is found more rarely and is often found as an Americanized spelling of the original German name.
The surname Baumkratz is often translated as "tree-scratcher" or "tree-climber," with the latter meaning referring to an individual skilled in climbing trees to cut off branches and trim away dead wood. Although this may have been an ancient profession, it is unlikely that many people today with the surname Baumkratz are actively employed in this capacity.
Order DNA origin analysisBaumkratz: Where does the name Baumkratz come from?
The last name Baumkratz is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the western part of the country. Towns with the highest concentrations of people with the surname include recently the towns of Saterland, Ost-Friesland, and Oldenburg, all located in Lower Saxony.
At one point, there were many Baumkratzes in the city of Berlin, but this number has decreased over the years. That said, the surname is still relatively common in the state of Berlin – the city of Berlin is now bordered by Brandenburg, and Baumkratz is still found in both states.
The surname is also found in other parts of Europe such as Sweden, Poland, and Switzerland. Generally speaking, today, the last name is quite common in German-speaking nations, as well as other nations with strong historical ties to Germany.
The surname Baumkratz is a variant of 'Baumkraut'. This names translates to "Tree Herb" in English, which likely alludes to a family of herbalists or healers who used tree-based medicines. Today, it is estimated that there are over ten thousand individuals with the last name Baumkratz.
Variations of the surname Baumkratz
The surname Baumkratz is a German-language surname, which its literal translation into English is “Tree Scratch”. Historically, this surname is derived from the family living in or near places that contained trees. Some of the variants of this surname include:
Baumkratt, Baumcrate, Baumkrats, Boimcrate, Bambkratz, and Baikeart. Depending on the region of origin within Germany, this surname may be spelled differently. For example, in some parts of Germany it may be spelled as Bumkratt or Bumcrate, and in other areas it may be spelled as Baampkratz or Beumpkratz.
In some cases, this surname has evolved into surnames that are no longer recognizable as related to the original form of the Baumkratz surname. Examples of these modified spellings include: Baumgertz, Baumgart, Bambarg, and Bikegart. Some of these names have blended with other German-language surnames that have similar-sounding elements, such as Baumeister, Bamburger, and Belkamp.
Surnames that are strongly related to Baumkratz are found in multiple other European countries. In Austria, the spelling variations Bammgertz, Bammgart, and Bamberg8 are observed. Similarly, the Polish-language version of this surname is Borogrótz, while the Czech version is Bumbart, and the Dutch version is Boomgerts. Other Germanic versions of this surname include Boehmerkratz, Berggerut, Boehmergrotz, and Böhmergratz.
No matter how it is spelled or which country of origin it is linked to, the surname Baumkratz remains to be a unique, old-world name. In modern times, this surname becomes a symbol of identity and belonging to a family lineage.
Famous people with the name Baumkratz
- Dave Baumkratz: Dave is a professional American football player who played football for both the University of California, Berkeley and the San Francisco 49ers.
- Randall Baumkratz: Randall is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour from 1972 to 1983.
- Bella Baumkratz: Bella is an Australian actor who has starred in movies such as The Great Gatsby, The Dressmaker, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
- Kurt Baumkratz: Kurt is a German musician and composer, and has won awards for his contributions to the film industry.
- Cari Baumkratz: Cari is an American figure skater who won the US Figure Skating Championships in 1976.
- Walter Baumkratz: Walter is a Canadian television writer and producer who has written and produced shows such as The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon, Polka Dot Door, and Lowenstein.
- Rubin Baumkratz: Rubin is a Czech- Israeli folk singer who sings a variety of Yiddish and Israeli songs.
- Jan Baumkratz: Jan is a Danish-Canadian historian and professor. He is the author of the book “A History of the Jews in Denmark”.
- Anton Baumkratz: Anton is an Austrian sculptor who specializes in creating sculptures in natural materials.
- Mandy Baumkratz: Mandy is an American singer and songwriter who has released several albums and singles, and opened for acts such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.