Surname Irtingkauf - Meaning and Origin
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Irtingkauf: What does the surname Irtingkauf mean?
The surname Irtingkauf is of German origin. It is composed of two elements: “Irt” which is a Middle High German word meaning “Erend” and “Kauf” which is a German word meaning “trade, purchase, or sale”. Together the two words form a compound meaning “one who trades, purchases or sells” or a “merchant”.
In some areas of Germany, the surname can be found as “Irenkauf” and “Ihrkauf.” The suffix “-ing” indicates that the name originated as “Irt”, which was a term for a nobleman or merchant.
The surname Irtingkauf can also denote the holding of a particular occupation, like a merchant, which was held by someone in the family for generations—hence the familial name comes to reflect that. There is no definite, documented answer as to when this name was first adopted or used as a house name or family name. In Germany, it can be found as early as the 1400s as a personal name, starting as “Irt” and possibly evolving to “Irtikauf or Irtingkauf” as a family name.
Generally speaking, the Irtingkauf family name would be indicative of someone with a long working history in the trades or as a merchant. It is likely that the family name was adopted for a reason—as a way of honoring a past ancestor who had helped to build the family wealth or had a successful career in trade.
Order DNA origin analysisIrtingkauf: Where does the name Irtingkauf come from?
The last name Irtingkauf is most commonly found in Germany today. The surname is derived from the name of a place in Germany. Records show that the place name of Irtingkauf was already being used in the 11th century. It is likely that the family with this surname took their name from the location.
The area of Irtingkauf was originally part of a small principality located in southwest Germany in the area of what is now the state of Hesse. Those with the Irtingkauf surname may have originally come from this region.
The locality today is part of the town of Braunfels, located in the district of Gießen in the state of Hesse. It is located close to the town of Limburg, which historically was closely linked to the dynastic line of the Counts of Nassau.
The surname Irtingkauf is seen most prominently in the Weissenbach area of Switzerland, and research indicates that the surname had been present in this region since at least the 14th century. It is also more widely distributed throughout Germany, from central areas such as the town of Friedberg in Hesse, to the north in the area of Paderborn, as well as further east in the region of Thuringen. The Irtingkauf surname is also present in other countries across Europe, such as Austria, France, and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Irtingkauf
The surname Irtingkauf has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Irdingkauf, Iartingkauf, Ehrtingkauf, Ettingkauf, Ehrtingkopf, and more.
The “I” in Irtingkauf is a result of the German alphabet, which utilizes the letter “I” instead of the English “E”. The variants that begin with “E” such as Ehrtingkauf and Ettingkauf, are therefore interchangeable.
The “Kauf” at the end of the name is derived from the German word “kaufen” which means to buy. It is most likely an occupational surname, indicating someone in a trading or merchant profession. Therefore, another variation of the name is Ehrtingkopf, which indicates someone engaging in a trade or business.
The surname Irtingkauf may also be found in various spellings and with different endings, such as the names Hurtigkauf, Hirtigkauf, Hertigkauf, and Hertingkauf. While these endings appear to be the same, they may actually have different origins, since the “H” and the “T” sound can often be interchangeable in German.
Overall, the various variants, spellings, and surnames of Irtingkauf indicate the surname's history as an occupational surname, and reveals how the name has evolved over time.
Famous people with the name Irtingkauf
- Rocco Irtingkauf, Fashion Photographer
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- Martin Irtingkauf, Professional Tennis Player
- Ludwig Irtingkauf, Actor
- Kirsten Irtingkauf, Cellist and Former Member of the New York Philharmonic
- Harald Irtingkauf, Painter and Illustrator
- Simon Irtingkauf, Brewer
- Tristan Irtingkauf, Musician and Composer
- Eric Irtingkauf, Musician and Singer
- Victor Irtingkauf, Film Producer and Director