Surname Krants/Krantz - Meaning and Origin
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Krants/Krantz: What does the surname Krants/Krantz mean?
The surname Krants (or Krantz) is derived from the German word "Krantz" meaning "crane." It is believed that the name originated as an occupational name given to a crane keeper or operator, as cranes were used throughout Europe for lifting heavy objects during the Middle Ages. Alternatively, the surname may have derived from a town named "Krantz," which likely referred to a crane that was perched in a prominent location, such as atop a church or castle tower.
The popularity of the name is thought to have increased in the 16th century as an ornamental surname after the German artist and goldsmith Hans Krantz (1485-1545). The name has since spread widely throughout Europe, with variations including "Kranten," "Krantshatz," and "Krantzutska."
The surname Krants/Krantz is still found in several countries today, primarily in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden. It is quite common in the United States as well, where many American families with this surname can trace their European heritage back to Germany, Austria and other Central and Eastern European countries. The population of Krants/Krantz in the United States is estimated to be in the thousands.
Order DNA origin analysisKrants/Krantz: Where does the name Krants/Krantz come from?
The last name Krants/Krantz is most common today in Central and Eastern Europe, and some parts of the United States and Canada. It is especially prevalent in eastern Germany, Poland, and Russia.
The Krants/Krantz surname originated in German-speaking regions sometime in the 16th or 17th centuries, likely as a shortened version of an existing German or Slavic personal name. The meaning of the name is likely derived from the German and Slavic words krantz or krants, meaning “proud” or “powerful”.
Another variant of the Krants/Krantz name is Krantzky or Krantzkoff. It is believed to have originated in modern-day Ukraine and Russia, and became adopted by many German immigrants to North America in the 19th century.
The Krants/Krantz family tree includes many notable figures throughout history. Famous Krants/Krantz include writer Johann Peter Krants, philosopher Robert Edouard Krantz, and writer Adolf Krantz.
Today, many Krants/Krantz are part of the large diaspora of Ashkenazi Jews who moved to the United States and Canada in the 20th century. The Krants/Krantz surname can be found in many big cities in the US such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.
Variations of the surname Krants/Krantz
The surname Krants is derived from the Dutch word “krant”, which means boundary or limit. As a result, variants and spellings can be found in a number of European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Belgium.
Variants of the surname Krants can include Krans, Kranz, Kränz, Kraenz, Kräntz, Krentz, Kränzle, Krantz and Krintz. It is a surname that is derived from both German and Dutch cultures. In Netherlands, Krants is pronounced as "Krenz", while in German, it is pronounced as "Krants".
Surnames of the same origin include Krantzman, Krantzinger, Krantzweiler, Krantzer, Krantzman, Krantzman, Krantzberg, and Krantzmeyer. These are all derived from the original surname Krants.
Variants of the surname are also found in the Jewish community, where it is spelled as "Crantz". Other forms of the surname include Kranitsch, Kranter and Kranthofer.
Overall, the surname Krants is a very old and common surname, with a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Krants/Krantz
- Richard Krantz: Computer Scientist, Professor at the University of British Columbia.
- Julius Krantz: Jewish-German musicologist born in 1885.
- Max Krantz: German pole vaulter who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Alexander Krantz: Russian botanist known for his classification of Siberian plants.
- Martin Krantz: Swedish Nordic combined skier who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Steven Krantz: American mathematics teacher, author, and professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
- Murray Krantz: American Basketball coach and a former player for the University of Wisconsin.
- Konstantine Krantz: Russian Nazi officer and diplomat who served in the German army in World War II.
- Lisa Krantz: American photojournalist and Pulitzer Prize recipient for her work in San Antonio.
- Paul Krantz: American sculptor and painter from Brooklyn who is best known for his abstract metal sculptures.