Surname Krefting - Meaning and Origin
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Krefting: What does the surname Krefting mean?
The last name Krefting is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘krefting’, meaning ‘a strong and resilient person’.
The last name would likely have been given as a nickname or a distinguishing title to someone who was particularly strong and resilient, either mentally or physically. It should not be confused with the similar-sounding German word ‘kraftig’, which means ‘strong’, because in Middle High German, the letter 'f' was often pronounced as a 'v'.
The people who took the last name Krefting were proud of their heritage and their ancestors likely had qualities that made them worthy of being called ‘krefting’. The traits associated with people of the Krefting family have been described as ‘kind and gentle’, ‘warm and generous’, and ‘hardworking and determined’ — a true testament to the qualities of the family’s original ancestor.
Today, Krefting is not a common surname, but it is still used by some families in Germany. It is a reminder of the important qualities of strength, resilience, and determination that the family has upheld for many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKrefting: Where does the name Krefting come from?
The last name Krefting is most commonly associated with Germany. It originated from the Middle Ages and is thought to actually originate from the name "Kreftinghusen". This surname is mainly found throughout Germany and Northern Europe, as well as other areas that were historically inhabited by Germanic peoples, like Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
The name can also be found scattered across the United States, as it was brought to the country by immigrants in the 1800s who left the German-speaking areas in search of better living conditions. In the US, it is specifically found in Texas, California, and Connecticut, as well as other states where Germans settled.
Although the name is not quite as common as some of the other German surnames, like Mueller or Schmidt, it is still part of the diaspora of Germanic culture that can be seen all over the world today. Additionally, many people with the surname Krefting are believed to share a common ancestor due to the limited areas in Germany where the name is known to originate from.
Variations of the surname Krefting
The surname Krefting has many possible variants, alternate spellings, and even residence-based surnames that are probably derived from the same origin. Below is a list of mentioned variations of the surname, Krefting:
Krefthangs, Krefthang, Kreffing, Krefting, Kreftings, Krefthing, Krefthins, Krefthinsen, Krefthinsky, Krefthuis, Kreftin, Krefthuns, Krefthunsen, Krefthuysen, Kreftten, Krefthuys, Krefthausen, Krefthof, Krefthofs, Krefthoffer, Krefthoffel, Krefthey, Krefthaus, Kreftheit, Krefthangen, Krefthangb, Kreftheim, Krefthoien, Krefthen.
Variations of this surname are associated with religion, country, and origin. For example, Kreftin is a nickname associated with the Germanic country of Hesse, while Kreffing is of Dutch origin. Krefthof is likely associated with a monastery or church, and Kreftheit is a variation displaying allegiance to the German-Catholic faith.
In addition to alternate spellings, there are many residence-based versions of the surname that are derived from the root "Kref—" These include Krefthangen (residing in a corner of a town), Krefthausen (residing in a court/inn), Krefthoffel (residing in a tower or fort), Krefthuisen (residing in a house or home), and Krefthofs (residing near or at a church or monastery).
No matter the spelling or variant, the surname, Krefting, has been around for a long time and still remains in use today.
Famous people with the name Krefting
- Lara Krefting: Lara Krefting is a German actress who has starred in many television shows and films, such as the miniseries Auf Das Richtige Geht’s An and the German romantic comedy Wir Egal Was Kommt.
- Heinrich Krefting: Heinrich Krefting was a German zoologist, botanist, and entomologist who specialized in grasshoppers, grasses and Neotropical bees. His research was highly influential in understanding these species.
- Carl Christian Krefting: Carl Christian Krefting was a German industrial chemist who developed synthetic dyes and manufactured pigments and synthetic detergents. He was also involved in the development of synthetic foods.
- Svein Ivar Krefting: Svein Ivar Krefting was a Norwegian poet and playwright who wrote several plays throughout his career, including Brifoss, Verdalersangen, and Meailleslåtten.
- Reinhard Krefting: Reinhard Krefting is a German chemist and professor of Biochemistry at the Technical University of Braunschweig. He is notable for his research on protein evolution, structure, and function.
- Dieter Krefting: Dieter Krefting is a German entrepreneur and investor who has made investments in a variety of companies, such as the IT company Software AG.
- Carrie Krefting: Carrie Krefting is an American-born artist who works with sculptural installations and photography. Her works have been exhibited internationally in galleries and museums.
- Ulrich Krefting: Ulrich Krefting is a German professor of private law at the University of Aachen and a researcher whose work has focused on international economic and business law.
- August Krefting: August Krefting was a Norwegian politician and member of the Stortinget who was known for his work in early Norwegian banking. He was also the mayor of Trondheim.