Surname Kurth - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring my Ancestry: An Enlightening Journey into Kurth Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test
Taking the DNA test with iGENEA was more than an exploration of my Kurth lineage. It was an eye-opening journey that offered enlightenment about my ancestors, reshaped my self-understanding, and evoked a humbling sense of pride.
T. Kurth
read moreKurth: What does the surname Kurth mean?
Kurth is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "kurtis", which means "short" or "small". This is likely a reference to physical stature, as Kurth was likely once an occupational surname for a shorter or smaller person. However, over time, Kurth has become a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's given name and inherited by his descendants.
Kurth may also be related to the German word "kurz", which means "quick" or "short". Today, Kurth is a common surname in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In the US, Kurth is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as well as in other states with populations of German immigrants.
Throughout history, Kurth has been used as both a first name and a surname. The first recorded use of Kurth was in 1179, when it was used as a given name. Later versions of the name include Kurtz, Curtz, and Kurty. It is also believed that Kurth may have been an occupational surname in Old German cities, indicating one who owned or served at a short house or establishment.
Overall, the last name Kurth is a German surname that originated as an occupational or a nickname for someone of short stature. It is now a patronymic name, meaning it is inherited from the father's given name. Kurth is a common surname in Germany and the US, and is most likely to be found in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Order DNA origin analysisKurth: Where does the name Kurth come from?
The last name Kurth is most frequently found in Germany, but is also common in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland. The name is relatively uncommon in the United States, where it is likely derived from German immigrants who moved to the US sometime in the late 1800s.
In Germany, Kurth is most commonly found in the northeastern and mid-eastern part of the country, particularly in the states of Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Kurth has also been recorded as an occupational name, indicating an association with a cultural tradition such as pottery, carpentry, or farming.
In the United States, the surname Kurth is widely dispersed throughout the country, as many of its German-origin families spread out and settled in different areas. The name seems to be most frequently found in Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with smaller numbers found in New York and California.
Regardless of where the name is found, the Kurth family name is consistently associated with hard-working, resilient individuals who have contributed significantly to the societies they have been a part of. The modern Kurth remain proud of their heritage and continue to make their mark in the world.
Variations of the surname Kurth
Kurth is a German-language surname which is derived from Middle High German kurz meaning "short". It is a habitational name, derived from any of several places in Germany. The spelling variations of Kurth include Korth, Kurr, Kür, Kürte, Kurrt, Kurthe, Kirth, Kert, Kertz, Kritz and Kerz.
In some cases, the surname Kurth has been Anglicized to Cort, Court or Curt. The surname Court originated as a variant of the German "Kurth" surname. In some cases, the surname may also be derived from the French word “court” meaning “short,” and as such sometimes appears in its French form, such as Lacourt or LaCour. It is also occasionally seen anglicized to Ward, Warde, or Worde.
The English-language surname Kirt or Kirk is derived from Kurth and may be a patronymic form of the same root. Kirt is also an Old English variant of Kerte, a short form of Kurt.
In the Netherlands, the name variant Kort is associated with Kurth. An Anglicized form originating from Germany is Cortes.
In other countries with sizeable German populations, such as Argentina, the United States, France and Canada, the name is also common, and is sometimes spelled Korts, Kortz or Cortes.
Kurth is a relatively common surname in Germany, as well as in countries such as Austria and Denmark where German-speaking people migrated. The German-language surname Kür has also spread to Poland and Russia.
Famous people with the name Kurth
- Brad Kurth, American Astronaut and Physicist
- Birgit Kurth, German Actress
- Ronny Kurth, German Footballer
- Paul Kurth, German Politician
- Vincent Kurth, Swiss Philosopher
- Marlene Kurth, Swiss Actress
- Max Kurth, German Painter
- Susanna Kurth, German Designer
- Knut Kurth, German Poet
- Matthias Kurth, German Politician