Surname Kotrba - Meaning and Origin
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Kotrba: What does the surname Kotrba mean?
The last name Kotrba is of Czech origin and is derived from the noun kotrba, which is the Czech word for "granary". It is thought that in the past, when many people assumed last names, some did so based on the occupations they held. In this case, someone who had the occupation of taking care of granaries may have adopted the last name Kotrba.
The name is still used today in parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and those who have the Kotrba surname can be found in both countries as well as in the United States and other countries around the world.
Kotrba indicates that its bearer had a link to farming, as the storage of grain (in the form of a granary) was an important task for many families that relied on agriculture for their livelihood. Though the granaries were gone, those with the Kotrba surname are still connected to the farming-oriented lifestyle in one way or another, and probably still hold an appreciation for the agricultural origins of their ancestors.
In today's society, the surname Kotrba has come to represent an independent spirit, and those with this name are often thought to be hardworking and enterprising. Many members of the Kotrba family have gone on to achieve success in various fields, showing that the name is still alive and vibrant in present times.
Order DNA origin analysisKotrba: Where does the name Kotrba come from?
The last name Kotrba is most commonly found in central and eastern Europe. It is particularly widespread in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Furthermore, individuals with the surname Kotrba can also be found in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, as well as smaller occurrences in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The specific origin of the surname Kotrba is uncertain, though certain etymologies suggest it has been around since the Middle Ages. Some believe the surname derives from the Old Czech word for “lawn” or “meadow.” In theory, it could be a reference to the professional occupation of an ancestor, perhaps as a grazier with a flock of workers in the same area. Additionally, the suffix “-rba” can be translated as either “keeper” or “worker.” This could suggest the surname is linked with a particular trade, such as a baker or a brewer.
Slovak sources claim that the Kotrba surname was once used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was “compact, strong and powerful.” This nickname could have been applied to an ancestor who was visiting a local area and have stuck in use since then.
Regardless of the origin of the surname, the surname Kotrba is still a common one today in central and eastern Europe, where it primarily appears in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Variations of the surname Kotrba
The surname Kotrba is derived from a Czech and Slovak nickname meaning a noisy person or one who puts in a lot of effort. It can be spelled in various ways, such as Kotrba, Kotrbová, Kotrbovský, Kotrbacek, Kotrbova, Kotrbos, Kotrbush and Kotrbushky.
The surname Kotrba is found mostly around the regions in northern Bohemia and Moravia that are near the border with Poland. It can also be found in other parts of the world, likely as the result of expatriation.
There are a few variants of the surname. The variant, Kotrbova, is a female form of the same name. Another variant, KotrBush, is a more Americanized version of the spelling.
In the Slovak language, the surname Kotrba is found as a female variation form, called Kotrbová. Other spellings include Kotrbovský and Kotrbacek.
The surname Is also found in some parts of Russia and Ukraine, but more commonly in the southwestern regions near the Ukraine border. The spelling Kotrbos is used in this instance, likely due to the influence of the Slavic languages.
The surname is not always spelled the exact same way, due to variations in language pronunciation, regional dialects, and influences from other languages. This means that the spelling variations described here may not be exhaustive.
Famous people with the name Kotrba
- Roman Kotrba: Czech professional ice hockey player
- Jan Kotrba: Czech actor, director and screenwriter
- Eva Kotrbová: Czech professor, biologist, writer and publicist
- Miroslav Kotrba: Czech politician and jurist
- Michal Kotrba: Czech guitarist, composer and music producer
- Anna Kotrbová: Czech screenwriter
- Marek Kotrba: Czech professional cycling racer
- Evžen Kotrba: Czech football defender
- Anežka Kotrbová: Czech professional beach volleyball player