Surname Kreichgauer - Meaning and Origin
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Kreichgauer: What does the surname Kreichgauer mean?
The origin of the Kreichgauer surname is believed to be German in nature. It is derived from the Middle High German word "kreichgau" which means a village with a right to impose a local toll. This type of village was located in various regions of Germany.
The Kreichgauers were a prominent noble family in Germany, and likely acquired their name by being granted the right to impose a toll on the local populace, as was customary in some parts of Germany. The Kreichgauers have a long history, and many of them still reside in Germany and other parts of Europe. Although it is unclear exactly when they migrated abroad, some of them can be found in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
The surname means “one of the local toll gatherers,” so the Kreichgauer family could potentially have once been responsible for protecting a certain area and gathering the tolls from that area's residents.
Additionally, many of the Kreichgauer surnames are still found in various records, including birth and marriage records, Lutheran church registry, and other types of records. As such, they have made a lasting impression on the area’s genealogy.
Overall, the Kreichgauer surname is steeped in a long and interesting history. Even though their original purpose was to gather tolls, their surname is a reminder of the importance of their work and of their rise to prominence in Germany during the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisKreichgauer: Where does the name Kreichgauer come from?
The last name Kreichgauer is an uncommon name that originated in Germany. It has since spread to many other parts of the world, with a small but growing population in the United States.
The majority of people with the surname Kreichgauer still live in Germany. It is most often found in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg, the two largest of the German federal states. It is especially common in several small municipalities in the south of Germany, including Metzingen, Burgthann, and Glauchau.
The name has also become more common in Austria and Switzerland due to migration within the German-speaking countries.
In the United Kingdom, there is a small Kreichgauer population due to several 19th century immigrants. It is most likely to be found in areas of historical German immigration, such as London and Birmingham.
In the United States, the last name Kreichgauer is still relatively rare. The largest population is found in Wisconsin, with smaller populations in Minnesota and California. Most likely, these immigrants originated in Germany and Austria. The family name in the US is spelled slightly differently, generally without the umlaut.
Despite its rarity, it is clear that the last name Kreichgauer is still present in several countries today. In the last century or two, the surname has spread around the world due to migration, and is now present in both Europe and America.
Variations of the surname Kreichgauer
The surname Kreichgauer is an occupational surname formed from the Old German word kreich, which translates to “king” and is derived from the latin word ‘rex’. It then combines this with the suffix of ‘gauer,’ meaning dweller or inhabitant. It is a very common name throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
One of the most common variants of the name includes Kreichgauer, Kreichgawer or Kreichgwer. An example of this variant can be seen in a corresponding census record from 1780, where the individual is listed as Julius Kreichgawer, living in Vienna, Austria. Another variant includes the alternate spelling of Kreychgauer, with an example being a census record from 1813, where the individual is listed as Lucas Kreychgauer, living in the Austro-Hungarian county of Syrmia.
One of the more uncommon variants of the Kreichgauer surname is Krichenauer, not to be confused with the common ancestor Krichenbauer. It is most commonly found in the Czech Republic, and an example can be seen in a census record from 1789, where the individual is listed as Josephus Krichenauer, living in Mästonberg, Bohemia.
Furthermore, given the vast geographical area covered by the surname, numerous other surnames can be derived from Kreichgauer. Notable examples include the surnames Kreitzgauer, Krichewer, Krichev, Krichawer and Krichawer. All of these surnames are direct variations, and are differentiated through slight misspellings of the main surname.
In conclusion, the surname Kreichgauer is a common surname throughout Europe, with various variants, spellings and surnames derived from its origin. Examples of some of these alternate surnames include Kreichgawer, Kreychgauer, Krichenauer, Kreitzgauer, Krichewer, Krichev, Krichawer and Krichawer.
Famous people with the name Kreichgauer
- Gabriel Kreichgauer: An Austrian professional tennis player who has been active on the professional Tennis circuit since 2003.
- Jürgen Kreichgauer: A German jazz trumpeter, composer and producer.
- Florian Kreichgauer: An Austrian actor best known for his work on the TV series SOKO Kitzbühel.
- Richard Kreichgauer: An Austrian former Alpine skier who competed in the Olympics in 1992 and 1994.
- Nunzio Kreichgauer: An Italian football player who has played for several clubs across Europe.
- Joachim Kreichgauer: A German scientist in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Johannes Kreichgauer: An Austrian sculptor who also served as the President of the Vienna Secession movement in the early 1900s.
- Johann Leonhard Kreichgauer: A German sculptor known for his portrait figures and religious works.
- Helmut Kreichgauer: An Austrian former footballer who represented his country in the FIFA World Cup 1962.
- Maximilian Kreichgauer: An Austrian writer and researcher known for his works on folklore, music and ethnology.