Surname Kortuem - Meaning and Origin
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Kortuem: What does the surname Kortuem mean?
The last name Kortuem is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding regions. The name is derived from Middle Low German and literally translates to "running" or "run". During the Middle Ages, the Kortuem surname was associated with nobility. It likely originated from an individual who served as a messenger, delivering important documents or news from one village to another.
In the days before the modern postal service, this was no small task, requiring the individual to cover great distances. Over time, the messenger's job became more specialized and respected, and as a result, those with the Kortuem surname were held in high esteem. For this reason, the name Kortuem often carried with it certain advantages, such as the ability to purchase land, obtain credit, or pass on legacies from one generation to the next.
Today, the Kortuem surname is still found mainly in Germany and its surrounding countries. However, due to immigration and global mobility, people with the Kortuem surname can now be found in almost all parts of the world. This name has been passed down through the generations, and gaining a deeper understanding of its origins and history can provide insight into the proud history of the Kortuem family.
Order DNA origin analysisKortuem: Where does the name Kortuem come from?
Kortuem is a German-origin surname that is most commonly found in Germany today. Records dating back to the 1700s point to the largest concentrations of Kortuem families in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, and Niedersachsen.
These concentrations remain today, but the name is also found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, U.K., and the Netherlands. In the U.S., the most notable concentrations of Kortuem families can be found in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In Canada, the highest concentrations are located in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.
Outside of these areas, the name has also made an appearance in South Africa, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and even Australia and New Zealand.
Over the years, the Kortuem surname has seen several spellings as well, due to various linguistic influences. Variations encountered include Cortum, Kortuemm, and Courtum, among others.
Overall, the Kortuem surname is a German-origin surname that has continued to enjoy a stronger presence in the country of its origin, Germany. People with this surname can also be found in many other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, U.K., and beyond.
Variations of the surname Kortuem
The surname Kortuem has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In Germany, the surname is spelled Kortum, Korthum, and Korthahn, while in the Netherlands it is spelled Kortum, Kortuem, Korthum, and Korthuis. In Norway, the variant is Kortheim and Korthein. In Sweden, the surname is spelled Kortum, Korthein, Kortuen, and Kortein. In Denmark, it is spelled Kortum and Kortheim. In Finland, the variants are Kortum and Kortei.
Variations of Kortuem include Corson, Korten, Corten, Kort, Cortes, Cortez, Cortazzo, Cortese, and Court. Court is a common variant of Kortuem found in English speaking countries, while Cortaz is a variation often found in South Africa.
Given the numerous variations of the surname Kortuem, research may be necessary to trace the origin of the name. It is likely the name is derived from the Latin word “curte”, which was used to denote an estate or royal court. The root word for Kortuem is also likely to have derived from a Germanic word “kurt”, which means “bend” or “turn”.
Though the Kortuem surname is not particularly common, it has been found in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, England, South Africa, and several other countries around the world. With so many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, those with the Kortuem surname can rest assured their heritage is unique and remarkable.
Famous people with the name Kortuem
- Gunnar Kortuem, Professor of Computer Science at the University of St. Andrews
- Bob Kortuem, former American professional basketball player
- Thomas Kortuem, German international footballer
- Dieter Kortuem, German actor
- Johan Kortuem, Dutch historian and professor at Leiden University
- Karl Kortuem, German painter from the 17th century
- Margrete Kortuem, Norwegian opera singer
- Martin Kortuem, German fencer and Olympic champion
- Alex Kortuem, American actor and screenwriter
- Andrea Kortuem, German sculptor