Surname Kortz - Meaning and Origin
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Kortz: What does the surname Kortz mean?
The last name Kortz is of German origin, derived from the word “Kurz” meaning “short”. It is likely that the original meaning of the name Kortz referred to a person of short stature, since the word Kurz was used to refer to physical attributes as well as an indication of a short lifespan.
Historically, the Kortz family originated in Saxony, a state of Germany, and began to settle during the medieval period. In the early 1700s, many members of the Kortz family emigrated to the United States, primarily by way of Pennsylvania.
The Kortz surname is thought to have been one of the earliest German surnames to be adopted in the United States. As such, the name continues to be quite common in many parts of the country, particularly in areas populated by the descendants of the original settlers.
The Kortz family has a long and proud history in the United States. Many modern-day Kortzes have achieved a great deal of success in various fields, such as business, law, medicine, and the military.
Today, the Kortz surname still carries a great deal of pride and respect for the descendants of those who preceded them. It is a beautiful representation of the strength and resilience of the original pioneers who journeyed in search of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisKortz: Where does the name Kortz come from?
The last name Kortz is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a German-language surname derived from the Old German personal name Kurtz or Curtiz. It is particularly found in southwest Germany, most notably the region known as the Palatinate (also known as Pfalz) located in the north-west of the country.
In Germany, more than 5,100 people currently bear the name Kortz. This is most concentrated in the German states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, nearly 500 people bear the surname.
Though the origin of the name is German, people named Kortz can also be found in the United States. This is due to the many waves of German immigrants who arrived in the US during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the US, most Kortz family members live in the Midwest and in Pennsylvania.
In addition, smaller numbers of Kortz family members may be found in other countries throughout the world, such as Canada, Switzerland, and Israel. The majority of locations, however, remain within Germany and Austria.
Variations of the surname Kortz
The surname Kortz is derived from the Norse personal name, Kort. It is also spelled in various ways, including Cort, Korte, and Kortz. It is most commonly found in Germany, North America, and Scandinavia. Additional variants and spellings of Kortz include Korte, Korts, Korty, Koortz, Kourtz, Corz, Cort, Court, and Cortes.
In Germany, Kortz is a spelling variation of the surname Korte, which is derived from the personal name Kort. Korte is also spelled Kuorte. In Scandinavia, as well as other parts of Northern Europe, Kortz is spelled Kort or Korts, depending on the regional dialect. The Korts variation is believed to have originated in Sweden.
North America also has its own variants of Kortz. In the United States, the surname is sometimes spelled Kourte or Kourtz, likely originating from German-speaking ancestors. In Canada, the spelling Kourtz is used more frequently.
The variants of Kortz are typically passed down from generation to generation, making them an integral part of the family’s heritage. They can also be used to identify people who share a common ancestor, regardless of their current geographic location. Regardless of the spelling or variant used, all are connected by the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kortz
- Richard Kortz II, American film stunt performer
- Caroline Kortz, American political advisor
- Ed Kortz, American artist
- Maria Kortz, Latin American poet
- Daniel J. Kortz, American politician
- Don Kortz, American photographer
- Paul Kortz, Canadian industrialist
- David Kortz, American attorney
- Kurt Kortz, American race car driver
- Dorothy Kortz, American actor
- Sharon Kortz, American musician
- Stephen Kortz, American sales executive
- John Kortz, American infantry officer
- Peter Kortz, German engineer and inventor
- Alex Kortz, American comedian and writer
- Luke Kortz, American basketball player
- Francine Kortz, American journalist
- Jody Kortz, American fashion designer
- Jake Kortz, American actor
- Alison Kortz, American public relations professional