Surname Kreffter - Meaning and Origin

Kreffter: What does the surname Kreffter mean?

The last name Kreffter is German in origin. It is from the Middle High German word krafte, which means "courage" or "strength." The name could have been given to someone who had these qualities, or it could have been a nickname given to someone with physical strength or bravery.

In some cases, it may have been an occupational name given to someone who was a maker of tools or machinery. This was when tools and technology were relatively new and it was seen as a special trade or skill.

Historically, the name was likely first found in Southern Germany, as many of the original Kreffters originated in Bavaria, Wurttemburg, and Baden-Wurttemburg. This is common for many German last names as many of them were adopted by people living close in proximity.

By the 18th century, Kreffters had established themselves in Prussia and other parts of northern Germany as well. Throughout Europe, records reveal that hundreds of Kreffter families were wealthy business owners, merchants, and artisans in multiple countries.

Today, with the onset of technology, the name has spread across the globe and is present in many English-speaking countries. In addition to Germany, it is common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Overall, original interpretation of the name is a testament to those who received it hundreds of years ago, and it still stands to represent courage, strength, and an ability to craft successful and meaningful lives.

Kreffter: Where does the name Kreffter come from?

The surname Kreffter is most commonly found in Sweden and Denmark today. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the first name of the father of the original bearer.

The name can also be found in other Nordic countries such as Norway, Finland and parts of Germany, as well as Lithuania. The name is said to have first appeared in Germany in the late 17th century and was common there in the 19th century, with several variations of the spelling, including Krefte, Krefeler, Kreffters, Kreft and Krefting.

In Sweden, the last name is especially associated with the provinces of Halland and Västergötland. During the Middle Ages, several family branches of the Kreffter name were established in Uppland, Västmanland and Värmland, mainly in small villages. The earliest recorded mention of the name was made in the parish records of Halland in 1625.

In modern times, the last name Kreffter may also be found in countries all around the world, thanks to migration. For example, some branches of the family are known to have moved to America in the late 19th century, settling in various states including New Jersey, New York and Illinois.

Overall, the name Kreffter is still most commonly associated with it's Nordic roots.

Variations of the surname Kreffter

Kreffter is a German surname, and it has several variants and spellings.

The most common variants are Kreft, Krefte, Kreffer, Krefft, Krexter, Krefther, Krefthers, Kreftter, Krefthers, Kreffers, Krefts, Krefther, Krexters, Kreftherson and Krefthers.

The surnames Krefe and Krefewell are also related to Kreffter.

Kreffter may be found spelled with or without an 'e', such as Krefte and Kreft. The 't' in Kreffter may also sometimes be replaced with a 'd', such as Krefder and Krefders.

Krefte, Kreft, Kreffers and Krefts are most likely derived from the more traditional German form of Kreffter, krefther, which is a diminutive of the word 'Kreft', meaning 'craftsman' or 'artisan'.

The other variants and spellings may provide clues as to the roots of the Kreffter family, as they could indicate that the family were likely of Jewish or Slavic origin.

In some cases, the double 'ff' in Kreffter may have been replaced with a single 'f', so that the surname is spelled as Krefte, Krefther, Krefthers, Kreftherson, Kreftter, Krefthers and Kreffers.

As such, Kreffter can be seen as either an anglicised or a Germanised version of the original surname, Krefe or Krefewell.

The German pronunciation of the surname is kPREFF-tehr.

Famous people with the name Kreffter

• Andy Krefft: Australian footballer
• John Krefft: Australian herpetologist
• Steve Krefft: American television writer and director
• Will Krefft: German footballer
• Robert Krefft: German cookbook author
• Carl Georg Krefft: German naturalist
• Stefan Krefft: German actor
• Engelbert Krefft: German sculptor
• Christian Krefft: German entomologist
• Johannes Krefft: German politician
• Harald Krefft: German composer
• Erich Krefft: German painter
• Marcus Krefft: Swedish musician
• Robert Krefft: German actor
• Henri Krefft: French painter
• Franz Krefft: German actor
• Wilhelm Krefft: German author
• Franz Krefft: German composer
• Christoph Krefft: German bishop
• August Krefft: German composer

Other surnames

Krefft