Surname Karre - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Karre: What does the surname Karre mean?
The surname Karre originates from Northern Germany and is a topographic name for someone who lived near a marsh or bog. The word "karre" in this context comes from the Low German term "kar", which means swamp or bog. The surname is derived from the geographical features of the area where the first bearer lived or owned land. Over time, these geographical names were adopted as a means of identification. It could also possibly be a metonymic occupational name for a carter or cartwright, from the Middle High German word "karre" meaning cart, or chariot. As surnames often characterize the profession or location of an individual, it provides historical and demographic information about the ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisKarre: Where does the name Karre come from?
The surname Karre is quite rare and is believed to have Dutch and Nordic roots. The name may also be derived from German ancestry, from the Middle High German "karre," meaning "cart," suggesting an occupational origin where the initial bearers were carters or cart makers. This surname is uncommon today and widely dispersed worldwide. However, it's slightly more prevalent in Germany and the United States, albeit in small numbers. While it is hard to definitively state where the surname Karre is most common due to its rarity, there are few bearers of this surname in Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Sweden. Due to the widespread migration and diaspora, people bearing the Karre surname can be found in various parts of the world, even though they remain few. Please note that surnames may have numerous origins and could have been adopted or altered over centuries, therefore exact locations may be difficult to pinpoint.
Variations of the surname Karre
The surname Karre might be a modified spelling of various other surnames such as Kare, Karr, Karee, Carre, or Carré, indicating a potential origin from regions using these surnames, like Germany or France.
In German, the surname Karr might have originated from Middle High German 'karre', a term for a kind of vehicle or wagon, possibly suggesting an occupational origin for cart drivers or builders. Variants might include Karren, Karle, and Kahr.
The French surnames Carre and Carré might have heralded from the Old Northern French 'carre' which means square. It could therefore be an occupational or descriptive name for a maker of square-shaped goods or a physically stocky person. Related forms might include Carret, Carrey, or Carrie.
Also, the surname could be of Scandinavian origin, where ‘Karre’ is a nickname for someone who was obstinate, from the Old Norse 'karr', meaning 'stubborn'. Variations might therefore include Karr or Kaare, common in Norway and Denmark.
Do note cultural, regional, and personal influences might lead to additional variants and modifications that are beyond easy categorization.
Famous people with the name Karre
- Kiefer Sutherland: This celebrated actor is technically a "Karre" due to his second last name. Born as Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland, he is well known for his role in the TV series "24."
- Thomas Karré: A German actor and voice actor who has been in the film industry for several years. He has worked on a variety of Film, TV and voice-over projects.
- Inger Karre: A Swedish author who is known for her works of fiction in Sweden.
- Hans Karre: An Austrian cyclist who competed in the men's team time trial event at the 1952 Summer Olympics. Please note that "Karre" is not a common last name for celebrities, making this list rather short. Additionally, some individuals might use a stage name or not widely publicize their legal name, which could affect the comprehensiveness of this list.