Surname Körtke - Meaning and Origin

Körtke: What does the surname Körtke mean?

The last name Körtke is a German surname derived from the name Krautkämer, which is a nickname for someone who trades vegetables. It is thought to be derived from the Low German words "kraut" meaning cabbage or herbs and "keemer" meaning trader. Though there is no exact translation of the word in English, one might refer to a Körtke as a "vegetable merchant".

The Körtke surname appears to have originated in the region around the town of Gartz, in present-day Germany. The earliest known reference to the surname appears as far back as 1450. It is also recorded in other areas of Germany and is thought to have spread with the waves of emigrants moving to other countries.

Today, Körtke is a fairly uncommon surname, but can still be found throughout Germany and beyond. Variations of the name include Körteke, Krootke, Körtle, Körtl, Kornte, and Krautcheimer.

Generally speaking, the Körtke surname is linked to an occupation that has been integral in the development of the German economy as well as the lives of the people. In addition, it serves as a reminder of the boundaries through which those belonging to this surname have been able to cross in order to pursue a better life.

Körtke: Where does the name Körtke come from?

The last name Körtke is particularly common in Germany, as well as other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Austria, among others. Records trace the name to many areas in Lower Saxony, where the majority of Körtke families live today. Many still live in northern Germany in cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Bremen and Leipzig. Additionally, the name can also be found in Holland, Belgium and Denmark. Outside of Europe, the Körtke name can also be found in countries with Expat German communities, such as the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia.

Körtke is thought to be derived from the German verb “korten”, meaning “to cut”, so it is theorized that it is an occupational name for a razorman or a barber. It is also believed to have started as a nickname for someone who was particularly strict or crabby. Some mandolin makers and musicians have also been known to have the Körtke surname.

The German and Danish spelling of the name is Körtke, while the Dutch and Belgian spelling is Kortke. Despite the subtle spelling differences, the name is said to share the same origin and meaning. The Körtke name is still fairly common, with a considerable population of German-speaking people throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Körtke

The surname Körtke has many variants, spellings and surnames with the same origin. The most common ones are Körting, Köhrtken, Köcking, Kőrkényi, Kőrtes, Kertész and Kirty. All of these surnames have their roots in the German name Körtke.

The most common version of the name is Körting. This is the name used in most official records as it is easy to pronounce, spell and remember. The surname is sometimes spelled as Koehrtken or Koecking. They are the same root word but with a slightly different spelling. The Hungarian version of the name is Kőrkényi. This is a cognate of Körtke and is often used in Hungary and other parts of Central Europe.

The Hungarian version of the surname Kertész is also common. This is a cognate of the German Körtke and is related to the profession of gardening. The surname Kirty is another version of Körtke. This spelling is most common in the United States and has a slightly different pronunciation than the other variants.

All of these surnames are based on the same Germanic root word, Körtke, and all of them have the same origin. They all also share the same meaning: one who does carpenter’s work. The differing spellings are just a reflection of how the name has changed over time.

Famous people with the name Körtke

• Jürgen Körtke: German football coach and former professional player.
• Johannes Körtke: German freelance photographer.
• Heinz Körtke: German painter and graphic artist
• Lars Körtke: Swiss philosopher and academic
• Martin Körtke: Managing director of the software company TOPAS GmbH
• Heinz Körtke: German theater director
• Andreas Körtke: German actor
• Klaus Körtke: German economist and university professor
• Karl-Heinz Körtke: German musician and producer
• Lea Körtke: German actress
• Markus Körtke: German lyricist and author
• Anja Körtke: German entrepreneur and host of the television program „The Icebrokers“
• Rainer Körtke: German television chef
• Villi Körtke: Estonian soccer player
• Mario Körtke: Danish professional footballer
• Zsófia Körtke: Hungarian medical physicist
• Mark Körtke: Australian politician
• Eva Körtke: German businesswoman and member of the Advisory Board of the DATEV Foundation
• Julian Körtke: German actor
• Erin Körtke: American volleyball coach

Other surnames

KortkampKortkampfKörtken