Surname Kurtz - Meaning and Origin
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U. Kurtz
read moreKurtz: What does the surname Kurtz mean?
Kurtz is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Kurz" which means "short" in English. When surnames were first developed in the Middle Ages, they were often based on a person's occupation, personal characteristics, or geographical location. Therefore, the surname Kurtz may have originally been a nickname or descriptor for someone who was short in stature. It started being used as a family name in Germany and over time, spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and other forms of cultural exchange. Notably, the surname Kurtz is quite common in the United States, due to significant German immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKurtz: Where does the name Kurtz come from?
The surname Kurtz originated from Germany and is derived from the Middle High German term "kurz" or "kurtz," which means "short.” It served as a nickname turned surname for people of short stature. The name was widespread throughout central Europe and was perceived as a common Jewish (Ashkenazic) name.
Today, the surname Kurtz is common in both Germany and the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania where many German immigrants settled. The name can also be found among Jewish populations globally, and in other countries where German diaspora or influence has been significant. It is important to note that different spellings of this surname exist, such as Kurz, Kortz, and Kurtze, which could increase the spread and prevalence of this surname than is immediately apparent.
Variations of the surname Kurtz
The surname Kurtz has several variants and can be spelled in several ways. Variations include Kurz, Kurts, Kurtzmann, Kertz, Kirtz, and Kortz. More Anglicized versions of the surname such as Curtis might also be seen.
Kurtz is a surname of German origin and means short. It was often used as a nickname for a short person. Some surnames with similar or the same meanings from different regions could include Petit (French), Piccolo (Italian), Brevis (Latin), and Klein (German).
As a Jewish surname, it could also have been derived from the Yiddish term "kurz" meaning "precise" or “detailed,” so surnames with similar origin might include Pinsky, Finkelstein, and Rabinowitz.
Kurtz, being quite a common surname in German-speaking regions, might also be connected to numerous other surnames that have branched away over centuries depending region, dialect and changes in language use.
Many altered versions of the original surname have been recorded over time due to regional variations in spelling and pronunciation, emigration, translation and other factors.
Famous people with the name Kurtz
- Favorite Kurtz, American actress
- Paul Kurtz, American philosopher
- Dan Kurtz, American songwriter and musician
- Bernhard Kurtz, German politician
- Mordecai Kurtz, American actor
- Herbert A. Kurtz, American sea captain
- Zara Kurtz, American painter
- Ivana Kurtz, Croatian medical scientist
- Verena Kurtz, German actress
- Csilla Kurtz, Hungarian Olympic speed skater
- Kathryn Kurtz, American author
- Hugo Kurtz, German-Austrian pianist
- Karina Kurtz, German actress
- Francis Kurtz, American musician
- Petra Kurtz, German television presenter
- Otto Kurtz, Austrian philosopher
- Charles Kurtz, American lawyer
- Gita Kurtz, British cellist
- Terence Kurtz, British mathematician
- Laura Kurtz, Canadian actress