Surname Große - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing History & Culture: An iGENEA DNA Analysis of Surname Große
A fascinating journey through my iGENEA DNA test results has revealed a captivating history behind the origin of my surname, Große. The test unlocks the historical and cultural significance of my name, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages and highlighting my ancestors' pivotal role in societal-developments across Central Europe.
K. Große
read moreGroße: What does the surname Große mean?
The last name Große is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany, Holland, and Denmark. It is derived from the Middle High German word “groz” meaning “large” or “great.” The name was often given to people of tall stature or with a regal bearing. Alterations of the spelling have changed over time; in its modern version, the umlaut (two small dots) over the o is commonly seen.
Historically, the Große family was an aristocratic house in Germany, and members of it held various posts such as chancellor, chancellor of the empire, and archbishop of Bremen. Later, the family was divided into smaller branches, some of which settled in other countries. Numerous members of these branches achieved great renown in their fields such as politics, education, and literature.
The family name Große is still common today both in its original form and various renditions of it. People with this name are often found in business, the legal professions, and medicine, with some even making names for themselves in the arts and in politics. To this day, the Große name stands for distinction, intelligence, and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisGroße: Where does the name Große come from?
The last name Große is most commonly found in Europe, particularly Germany. The country is home to roughly 2,400 individuals with the surname, making it the 55th most popular name among more than 2 million recorded surnames within Germany alone. Prior to the 1800s, however, the Große family were also believed to have originated from Poland and Czech Republic.
Today, the majority of Große families are located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, with significant populations also present in popular German cities such as Hamburg, Munich, Dusseldorf, and Berlin. The family is most densely concentrated in the city of Bielefeld.
The Große family’s presence extends beyond the German border too, with individuals of the same surname located in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. Interestingly, the largest population of Americans with the Große surname reside in Wisconsin, with more than 200 individuals currently registered in the state.
Despite its European roots, the Große surname can now be found across the world, weaving its way into the wonders of globalisation and migration.
Variations of the surname Große
The surname Große has many variants, spellings, and derivatives which are often used interchangeably. It is derived from the German word groß, meaning 'large'. In Germany, this surname is often spelled Große, while in Eastern and Central Europe, the spelling is often changed to Gross or Groos. In parts of the U.S., the spelling is often changed to Groce, Grohse or Grossman. The surname may also change between regions, such as from Große to Grossi in Italy and Portugal.
Details around the origins of the Große surname are unclear; however, the most common suggestion is that it was originally derived from a location such as the Grafschaft of Große, a former district within the German region of Westphalia. As the name was likely taken from a geographic location, it was also likely used as a locational name.
The surname may also originate from the Middle High German noun “gröze”, which means “a tall stature or large body”. Alternatively, it may be derived from Middle High German terms such as “gron”, which means “green”, or “grozz”, which means “granary”.
In addition to the spelling variants listed above, the Große surname may also have derived variants or surnames, including Groz, Grozic, Grozny, Gruc, Gros, Grosskopf, Grosskopf, Grosse, Grosset, Grossetete, Grosman, Grohmann, Groening, and Groning.
As with other surnames, the spelling of Große is subject to change without notice due to personal choice or regional influence. Nevertheless, the surname is likely to be recognised and referred to under its numerous written versions; Große, Gross, Groos, Groce, Grohse, and Grossman.
Famous people with the name Große
- Wilhelm Große: German general during the Second World War.
- Jürgen Große-Albers: German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union from 1998 to 2009.
- Johannes Große: German Catholic Biblical scholar and theologian.
- Peter Große: German entrepreneur, trauma healer and philosopher.
- Christian Große-Ruse: German professional football referee.
- Franz Große-Wilde: German actor, film director and screenwriter.
- Leonhard Große: German painter in the Baroque style, active in Vienna.
- Antonia Große: German model and actress.
- Richard Große: German music educator and bass-baritone.
- Gerhard Große: German lawyer, who served from 1997 to 2011 as the President of the Federal Cartel Office.
- Alfred Große: German career soldier and official in Colorado, who served as the Brigadier General.
- 44h Joachim Große: German Army officer and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient.
- Erich Große: German recipient of the French Croix de guerre.
- Herbert Große-Lübbe: German theologian, member of the Order for Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Wilfried Große-Kalmbach: German lawyer, mediator and politician of the Free Democratic Party.
- Rudolf Große: German professor of organic chemistry in Berlin.
- Matthias Große: German motorcycle racer.