Surname Krämer - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Historical Ties of the Krämer Surname Through a Personal Journey into my iGENEA DNA Test Results

The iGENEA DNA test provided an extraordinary glimpse into my ancestry, revealing intriguing truths about my surname, Krämer. Deeply rooted in Central Europe with Germanic ties, the test highlighted my maternal lineage and gave insight into my ancestors' roles in society while also drawing light on intriguing ancestral connections to other ethnocultural groups.

W. Krämer

Krämer: What does the surname Krämer mean?

Krämer is a German occupational surname derived from the word 'krämer', meaning 'merchant'. A Krämer was a travelling merchant who sold goods from place to place. The term was likely first used as a name in the 13th century and was popular among the Jewish populations in areas of Germany. Today, the name Krämer is spread all around the world, mostly among German-speaking countries.

Krämer is an incredibly common surname in Germany and carries great historical and cultural significance. It reminds us of the work of travelling merchants throughout history and their vital contributions to society. It is also a versatile surname, commonly seen in various forms as Krämer, Kramer, Krahmer, Cramer, Kraemer, and Krammer.

The literal translation of Krämer is 'a peddler' or 'a trader', which gives us an impression of the hardworking nature of the ancestors of those with this renowned surname. It can also be seen as a sign of their resourcefulness within the ever-changing world. Overall, the last name Krämer is unique and has great symbolism to German culture, history, and values.

Krämer: Where does the name Krämer come from?

Krämer is a German surname and it is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also common in some other countries in Europe like the Netherlands, Poland, and Hungary. The Czech Republic, Belarus, and Croatia also have some occurrences of the name. Outside of Europe, there are some occurrences of the name in Canada and the United States, primarily among immigrants or descendants of immigrants from German-speaking countries.

The surname Krämer is derived from Middle High German kram, meaning "shopkeeper, peddler, or merchant". The name was originally an occupational surname to describe those who trade in goods, often in an itinerant fashion, and by the 14th and 15th centuries, it had become a fixture in German culture. It is estimated that Krämer is the 9,477th most common surname in Germany, and it is also the 737th most common surname in Austria.

Krämer is still a relatively common surname in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other Central European countries today. The name can also be widespread in North America, thanks to the exchange of people and ideas between Germany and the US over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Krämer

The surname Krämer is of Germanic origin, derived from the early Middle High German kremere or krämer, which would have been a term referring to a merchant or tradesman. As an occupational name, the surname is derived from a medieval status title, denoting that the individual was an independent vendor of goods. Variations of the name include Kramer, Cramer, Cremer, Krämmer, Kremmer, and Krammer. It is common for the original name to have varying spellings, and this is certainly true in the case of Krämer.

Krämer may also have been used as a toponymic surname, referring to someone from a location with Kelley’s name (Krämer’s Town). This may be true of the many variants of the name, including Krämershagen, Krämersmühle, and Krämerzell.

The German surname can also appear in other languages in other parts of the world. For example, in Norway, Kremmer is considered to be an alternate spelling of Kramer. In English-speaking countries, the name is usually spelled Cramer. The Dutch equivalents are Cremer or de Kremers; the Flemish equivalents are Cremait and de Kramaers.

In Eastern Europe, the surname may also appear as Kremmer, Kramar, Krammer, Kramarai, Kramari, and Kramarovic. In Scandinavian countries it can also be seen in its original spelling – Krämer.

In addition to these subtle variations in spelling, the surname is found in numerous combinations. Some of the most common include Krämer-Kramer, Krämer-Krämer, Krämer-Kraemer, and Krämer-Kramer-Kramar.

The surname Krämer is also found in several Greek surnames, especially amongst those of the Jewish faith. Some of the surnames bearing a connection to Krämer are Kamaras, Kramaras, Krimateas, and Krahamasis.

Through the centuries, the German surname Krämer has changed spellings and forms many times. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found in multiple countries, languages, and dialects across the world.

Famous people with the name Krämer

• Aileen Krämer, German sprint canoeist
• Angelo Krämer, German football manager and former player
• Helmut Krämer, Retired German footballer
• Christian Krämer, German Paralympic athlete
• Claudia Krämer, German sport shooter
• Gerd Krämer,Former German handball player
• Gerhard Krämer, Former German ice hockey player
• Heinz Krämer, German canoeist
• Joachim Krämer, German football striker/attacking midfielder
• Koen Krämer, Dutch endurance athlete
• Rudi Krämer, German professional ice hockey player and coach
• Rudolf Krämer, German rower
• Thomas Krämer, German former competitive figure skater
• Ulrich Krämer, German marathon runner
• Uwe Krämer, German football coach
• Wolfgang Krämer, German Paralympic athlete

Other surnames

KramekKramersKrämersKramertKramerth