Discovering Ancestry: The Intriguing Journey of the Surname Kratzer through my iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Kratzer
My iGENEA DNA test results, illuminating my ancestral timeline with the vibrant hues of heritage and migrations, have revealed fascinating insights about my surname—'Kratzer.' With roots deep into the Ashkenazi Jewish lineage and Central European tribes, the 'Kratzer' journey is an intriguing tapestry of migrations, societal adaptations, and the interplay of diverse cultures over centuries.
Venturing into my ancestral past, my iGENEA DNA test results were an exclamation mark on an exciting journey to self-discovery. I was particularly interested in the scientific revelations about my surname – Kratzer. My DNA ethnicity estimate shed light on my ancestors, painting a mosaic teeming with diversity and shared heritage.
Based on the results, the surname 'Kratzer,' primarily found in Germany and Austria, holds a deep-rooted Ashkenazi Jewish lineage. The Ashkenazi Jewish trace in my DNA dates back centuries, revealing how my ancestors migrated from the Middle East to the European continent.
The findings further indicated that Kratzer's ancestors were part of tribes who settled in Central Europe, primarily within present-day Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. This left a strong genetic footprint, as evidenced in my mitochondrial DNA.
Moreover, the Y-DNA confirmed a distinctive Eastern European trace, highlighting a mingling of tribes and communities over thousands of years. The Eastern European trace could be attributed to the Volga Germans who lived within Volga River regions in Russia, further suggesting my family's nomadic past.
The 'Kratzer' surname, deriving its origins from 'Kratz,' a topographic name for someone living by a scrubby area, interestingly, has a high probability of having been changed over time due to the forces of social movement, languages or immigration paths. My family's genetic trace back to their geographic roots confirmed the probable surname alterations due to such adaptations.
The iGENEA test also allowed me to further explore the meaning behind my surname, 'Kratzer' which is linked to occupations during the medieval times such as a cloth shearer or a scraper.
Overall, the revelations have blessed me with a profound sense of connection to the past, a kaleidoscopic view into many sequences of historical events that shaped not only the world but also my family's journey.
D. Kratzer