Surname Kurtze - Meaning and Origin
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Kurtze: What does the surname Kurtze mean?
The last name Kurtze is a German name meaning “short” or “small”, likely referring to someone who was considered short of stature or of moral character. It is believed to likely be derived from an old German nickname or epithet; however, very little is definitively known about its origin. The first recorded instances of the name appear in the 12th century and by the 13th century it had become a common name throughout Germany.
The Kurtze name can be found in many countries today, largely thanks to German immigrants who brought the name to other countries over the centuries. The earliest record of the Kurtze name in the New World dates back to 1657, when Johann Georg Kurtze emigrated to Virginia.
Today, there are many famous people who carry the Kurtze name, including the German-American cartoonist and scientist Rudolph Kurtze, the American composer Ross Richard Kurtze, the Australian playwright Jack Kurtze, and the Chilean actress Lorena Kurtze. With German roots and a long history, the Kurtze name is sure to remain in the generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKurtze: Where does the name Kurtze come from?
The surname Kurtze is found today primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This is likely a result of the fact that the surname was most common in German speaking countries during the 19th century and has since been brought to other parts of the world through emigration and immigration. During this time, the surname was widespread throughout Germany, as well as farther east in Silesia, and closer to the Middle East in the Prussian Pomerania region. In Europe, the surname Kurtze is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Outside of Europe, the surname can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries to which Europeans have immigrated. It is estimated that today there are between 50,000 and 250,000 individuals around the world with the surname Kurtze.
Variations of the surname Kurtze
Kurtze is an occupational surname, derived from the German language. It is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages, with the root word being the German Kurtz, which was used to refer to someone who was short in stature. The name could also have been given to someone who worked in a profession where being short was of benefit, such as a tailor or locksmith. The spelling can vary, from Kurtz to Curtze, Kurte, Kortze, Korte, Corte, Curtz, Kertz and Coertz.
The surname Kurtze first appears in records in Germany in the area of Hessen and linger Deutschland (Modern-day Germany, Austria and Czech Republic) between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. It then spread into other parts of Europe, such as France and Holland, although the spelling often changed.
Other variants of the name include Coertze, Curtz, Koftz, Kortze, Kurte, Curtiss, Courtis and Curtice. Surnames that are derived from the same root word can be found in Scandinavia, such as Kort, Korto, Kortz and Kortman. In England, the surname was sometimes Anglicized and spelled Court or Courtes.
The most common form of the surname today is Korte, which is found in large numbers within Germany and the Netherlands. It is also common within France, and other countries where it has been adopted in the past such as Italy, Spain and the United States.
Famous people with the name Kurtze
- Isabella Kurtze: Isabella Kurtze is a German film, television and stage actress, born in 1990. She is best known for her roles as Esmeralda in the musical Elisabeth, as Luise in "Der kleine Rabe Socke 2", and as Judges' Assistant in the movie "Big Bad Wolves".
- Margot Kurtze: Margot Kurtze is a German movie and television actress, born in 1997. She is best known for her roles as Gretchen in the movie "Fünf Freunde 4" and as Charlotte in "Immenhof: Die alte Muellerin".
- Kai Kurtze: Kai Kurtze is a German actor, born in 1997. He is best known for his roles as Merten Frei in the movie "Klassenfahrt", Benni in the movie "Eine tödliche Entscheidung", and as Zeke in the sitcom "Zack & Annie".
- Ginger Kurtze: Ginger Kurtze is a German actress, born in 1986. She is best known for her roles as Kate in the movie "Vorseung: Die Krone der Freiheit", and as Bianca Knipps in the TV series "KDD: Kriminaldauerdienst".
- Carolin Kurtze: Carolin Kurtze is a German singer and actress, born in 1994. She is best known for her role as Tessa in the musical "Mamma Mia!" and for performing the soundtrack of the movie "Eine Schöne Bescherung".