Surname Kischkat - Meaning and Origin

Kischkat: What does the surname Kischkat mean?

Kischkat is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "Kiskat" meaning "basket maker" or "basket weaver". This surname was primarily used to denote one's profession, as a basket maker was a trade common throughout medieval Europe. Baskets were crafted from various materials depending on the region and intended use, although, willow was the most common. Baskets were typically woven to hold various types of agricultural produce, such as fruit or grains, and also to hold items of practical use, such as tools and household items. As baskets were a necessity in everyday life, Kischkat indicates the family history of craftsmanship.

Kischkat is still common throughout many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, and today the surname continues to be linked to its professional origins. The name itself is spelled in various ways, including Kischkat, Kischat, Kischtat, Kischotta, and Kischtka. Although the spelling evolves, descendants of this surname continue to carry on the professional tradition of the trade.

Kischkat: Where does the name Kischkat come from?

The last name Kischkat is most commonly found today in Germany. It is a relatively uncommon surname with only about 600 people in Germany bearing the name. The first known documented member of the Kischkat family was Lorenz Kischkat who was alive in the 1600s in Thuringia. The name has remained in the area ever since.

The Kischkat family spread east to Czech Republic and Hungary after World War II. As of 2020, there are less than 200 people with the last name Kischkat in Hungary. Similarly, there are only about 350 people with the last name in Austria. Roughly, more than half of all the people in the world with the last name Kischkat live in Germany.

The meaning of the surname remains uncertain. It is most likely of German origin. It is possible that it is derived from the Middle High German word ‘kischker’ meaning “potter” or “jar maker." It is also possible that it comes from the German word “Kischkatze” meaning “swing cat.”

Overall, the last name Kischkat is mostly found in Germany, but it is also present in other European countries like Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary. It is likely of Germanic origin, but the exact meaning and origin of the surname remain uncertain.

Variations of the surname Kischkat

The surname Kischkat (originating from Central Europe) has a few variants, including the spellings Kischkat, Kischke, Kiszkat, Kiscak, Kishkat, Kischel, Kishel, Kishkel, Kisheln, and Kischeln. Surnames derived from Kischkat usually entail spelling variations of the original depending on how it was recorded by the scribes of the time or by dialectal differences.

Most of the variants of Kischkat all have a common root: the Czech diminutive Kisch-, which means "little” or "small”. In addition to the Czech variants, there are also some variants originating in the German language, such as Kiszkat and Kischke.

The surnames Kishel, Kishkel, Kisheln, and Kischeln are derived from the German word kischel, which means "attendant” or "servant.” This was usually a name given to a domestic servant or a man of humble origin.

Other variants of this surname include Kishkat, which is derived from the German verb kischen, meaning "to whisper” or "to murmur”; and Kiscak, which stems from the Czech kischkat, which can also mean "to whisper.”

All of these surnames are derived from the original Kischkat and share a common origin. The spelling variations are a product of how the name was recorded by different scribes, or dialectal differences in the Austrian and Czech languages.

Famous people with the name Kischkat

• Sophie Kischkat: German DJ, songwriter and producer.
• Lisa Kischkat: German actress best known for her roles in 'Alles steht Kopf' and 'Total Abgezockt'.
• Florian Kischkat: German entrepreneur and founder of the clothing label 'KKCT'.
• Anna Kischkat: German fashion designer and founder of the 'Kischkat Clothes' brand.
• Maya Kischkat: German theatre and film actress.
• Jan Kischkat: Austrian film director and producer.
• Uwe Kischkat: German actor and director.
• Marcel Kischkat: German actor who has appeared in various films and television series.
• Christoph Kischkat: German actor, director and producer.
• Eva-Maria Kischkat: German poet and author.

Other surnames

Kischkies