Surname Kreeft - Meaning and Origin
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Kreeft: What does the surname Kreeft mean?
The last name Kreeft originates from German and Dutch cultures and is believed to derive from the German and Dutch word “Kreft” which means “lobster”. The name Kreeft likely began as an occupational surname, used to indicate a family of people whose work was related to this type of seafood. As the moniker spread across Europe, different languages and cultures adopted various forms of it, including “Kreft”, “Krefte”, “Kreftman” and “Kreeft”. In the United States, the name is spelled “Kreeft”.
It has also been suggested that the surname could have derived from the Middle High German word “kreγt” which means “boulder”; an exonym for a resident of a village where a large rock or boulder was prominent. In Northern Europe, such large rocks were specifically used as boundary markers for settlements, and the families who maintained these markers became known as “Kreeften” or “Kreeftman”. Over time, these surnames evolved into “Kreft” and “Kreeft”.
It is likely that the bearers of this surname hail from Northern Europe, such as Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, and likely emigrated to the U.S. in the late 19th century. Today, bearers of this surname may still be found in the United States. Interestingly, Kreeft is also an occasionally used last name in the United States by individuals who are of Dutch descent; possibly as a recognizing of their Dutch ancestry, or still reflecting the occupation related biblical origin of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisKreeft: Where does the name Kreeft come from?
The last name Kreeft is very common throughout Europe and the Netherlands in particular. It was originally an occupational surname derived from the Dutch word "kruift" which means "cook". The Kreeft name can be found in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and some parts of France and Luxemburg. In the Netherlands, the number of Kreefte family members is estimated to be around 15,000.
The Kreefte family is also found in the United States. The majority of Kreefte family members in the United States can trace their roots back to Dutch immigrants who moved to the United States in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Since then, the name Kreefte has spread throughout the United States, mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Kreeft name is also found in other European countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It's even spread to South America, with the Kreefte family being found in places such as Argentina and Brazil.
Overall, the last name Kreeft is very much a European name that is still used today. It is most commonly found in Europe and the United States, but there are still pockets of Kreefte family members spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kreeft
Kreeft is an uncommon surname of Dutch origin, derived from a nickname referring to a person’s character or physical attributes. The surname is found throughout the Netherlands, especially in the region of Friesland, but is present in other countries like the USA and Canada.
Variants of the surname Kreeft include Kreft, Kreep, Krefte, Krefting, Kreften, Krefth, Kreftig, Kreftsen, and Kreut. Much like Kreeft, these surnames are also of Dutch origin.
Variants of the surname Kreeft have other spellings as well, including Kranf, Kranef, Kranefte, Kranefth, Kranefig, Kranefsen, Kranut, and Kraneut.
Other surnames of the same origin as Kreeft include Krift, Krieft, Kref, Kriefting, Kriefth, Kleftig, Kriefsen, and Krenut. These surnames are all derived from the nickname Kreeft and are of Dutch origin.
Though not of the same origin, the surname Creft is also closely associated with the surname Kreeft. It is thought to have been derived from a misreading of the scripture, and is most commonly found in areas of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
In conclusion, there are numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kreeft. Though Kreeft itself is of Dutch origin, other surnames of the same origin are also derived from a nickname, and the surname Creft is thought to be derived from a misreading of scripture.
Famous people with the name Kreeft
- Peter Kreeft: Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and The King's College.
- James Kreeft: American luthier and founder of Kreeft Guitars.
- John Kreeft: Missionary to Japan and one of the first Protestants to bring Christianity to Japan in the 1800s.
- Henk Kreeft: Dutch classical music violinist, conductor, and professor.
- Stephen Kreeft: American historian and geneticist best known for his work on the evolution of feathers.
- Mary Kreeft: American novelist, best known for her historical fiction and non-fiction books.
- P.D. James Kreeft: British novelist, best known for her book Death Comes for the Archbishop.
- Stephen Kreeft: Canadian literary critic, poet, author, and professor at Simon Fraser University.
- Jon Kreeft: American artist, best known for his paintings of Pacific Coast landscapes.
- J. Kreeft: Dutch landscape painter best known for his canvases of Amsterdam and the Dutch countryside.