Surname Kreuz - Meaning and Origin
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Kreuz: What does the surname Kreuz mean?
The last name Kreuz is a German surname originating from the German word ‘Kreuz,’ which means cross. It is an occupational name for someone who made or sold crosses, such as a crucifixion cross or the Iron Cross. It is also a nickname or patronymic name for someone who was seen as a devout Christian due to bearing a cross in some form.
The surname is relatively common, with records of the Kreuz name beginning in the late Middle Ages associated with numerous regions throughout Germany. It may be a variant spelling of the surname Kruse, which is derived from the Low German dialect. Additionally, there are some unusual variations of the spelling, including Cruze, Kresse, Kriez, Kreuze, Kreuzmann, Kreutziger, and Krucke.
Kreuz is found throughout Germany today from east to west and is also found in parts of Austria. The name could even have been used by a person of any faith, so it is an interesting surname to research. It could have been adopted by a Jewish family that lived in a predominantly German area, suggesting descendants from converted immigrants or alternatives like ‘Cross,’ ‘Kruger,’ ‘Krusch,’ or ‘Krohn.’ Its origin and variants make the Kreuz surname an interesting research subject.
Order DNA origin analysisKreuz: Where does the name Kreuz come from?
The last name Kreuz is most common today in Germany and Austria. It is a relatively common German surname that has its roots in the middle ages, derived from the German word for “cross.” Historically, bearers of this last name were often associated with religious persons and guilds, and could be found in many parts of Europe. In the modern day, many families with the last name Kreuz have made Germany, Austria, and other central European nations their home.
In Germany, Kreuz can be found in some areas more than others. It is commonly found in the area around Frankfurt, as well as near Cologne and the Austria-Germany border. In addition to those regions, the name can also be found in Saxony, Hamburg, Thuringia, and other German-speaking parts of Europe. In Austria, Kreuz is more commonly concentrated in Vienna and its surrounding environs.
Outside of Europe, there are Kreuz families in Australia, Canada, and the United States. In the U.S., the name is largely found in communities in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, as well as in certain parts of Arizona.
In sum, the last name Kreuz is still common today in many parts of Europe, though it is especially common in Germany and Austria. As a result of European immigration, Kreuz families can also be found in many parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Kreuz
The Kreuz surname is of German origin. It can be spelled Kreuz, Kruz, Kreutz, Kreutzer, Kreuzer and Krez.
Kreuz originated from an occupational name used to describe people who worked with locks and keys, known as schlüsselmeister (key master). The suffix ‘-er’ also indicated the status of someone in a certain trade. It is also believed that the earliest variants of the Kreuz surname derived from the Middle High German words 'kruz', meaning ‘cross’, and 'kreuz' meaning ‘cross’ or ‘crucifix’.
The most variant spellings of the Kreuz surname include Kreutz, Cruz, Krez, Kreutzer, Krouz, Kroum and Kruz. The surnames Kreuz and Kreutz are the most popular forms of this surname in Germany. Additional variations of the Kreuz surname may include Cruze, Kreuzer, Kruz, Kruez and Krouz.
The surname has also spread to different countries, taking on different spellings. In Spain, the surname Kreuz is often spelled as Kreus, Kruez or Kreuz. Meanwhile, in the United States, the Kreuz surname is spelled as Cruz, which is the most common spelling of the surname in the country.
The Kreutz surname is especially related to the Kreuz name as many of the variations of the surname can be traced back to the original spelling. The Kreutz surname is common in Germany and is most often found in the state of Bavaria.
The Kreuzer surname is often found in Austria and Germany and refers to someone from Kreuz, a village in Bavaria. The variants of this name include Kruzer, Kreuser, Kreuszer and Kreutzler.
Finally, the Krez surname is tied to the Kreuz surname and is mostly common in Poland. Variants of this name include Krz, Krezewski and Krez.
Famous people with the name Kreuz
- Gordon Kreuz: German journalist, author and TV personality
- Axel Kreuz: German politician and academic
- Thomas Kreuz: Austrian footballer
- Wolfgang Kreuz: German ice-hockey goaltender
- Peter Kreuz: Austrian ski jumper
- Michael Kreuz: Austrian musician
- Erik Kreuz: German figure skater
- Elisabeth Kreuz: German actress
- Dieter Kreuz: German actor
- Max Kreuz: German singer and composer