Surname Kreikenbaum - Meaning and Origin
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Kreikenbaum: What does the surname Kreikenbaum mean?
Kreikenbaum is a surname of German origin. It is derived from a combination of two words; kreik, meaning "crow" and baum, meaning "tree". This means that the literal meaning of the surname is "crow tree". Historically, it is believed to have been used to describe someone who lived near a tree that was frequently visited by crows. Alternatively, it is possible that it was used to refer to someone who worked with birds, such as hunting or falconry - the "crow tree" being a gathering point for these birds.
The surname may also have been used to describe an individual who was considered wise or wise-like, seen as many cultures have assigned such supernatural powers to crows.
In modern times, the surname is still used in Germany and parts of Europe, and is increasingly used in other parts of the world as many people have emigrated. It is not especially common, though it is not exceedingly rare either. Given its origin, its spelling can be varied, with similar spelling variations such as Crookenbaum being seen.
Order DNA origin analysisKreikenbaum: Where does the name Kreikenbaum come from?
The last name Kreikenbaum is most commonly found in Germany. It is quite rare elsewhere, but there is a small presence in countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
The Kreikenbaum surname originated in the Middle German Region of the Rheinland, an area of historic cultural significance. The name emerged as an occupational name, given to those in the profession of farrier, which involves shoeing horses, or a cobbler. The name translated to English roughly translates to Saddle Tree Maker.
Today, very few people keep the Kreikenbaum surname due to its rarity. In Germany, the surname occurs most often in major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne. In 2018, it was estimated that the number of individuals living with the Kreikenbaum surname in Germany numbered around 3500.
In the United States, it is believed that about 90 people have the Kreikenbaum name. Most live in California or Texas, while smaller numbers are found in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
In Canada, the surname is found in much smaller numbers, with most people living in Ontario, specifically the greater Toronto area.
Across South Africa, where German settlers first arrived as early as 1652, there is a small but noteworthy number of people with the Kreikenbaum surname, with most located in Johannesburg.
Finally, Australia has one of the smallest numbers of people carrying the Kreikenbaum name, with only about 20 throughout the entire country.
No matter their location, people with the Kreikenbaum name represent a unique heritage and an uncommon yet meaningful family history.
Variations of the surname Kreikenbaum
The surname Kreikenbaum is a rare German surname, with only about fifty known people bearing the name. It is derived from Kreikenbaumer, which is a variant spelling, and both are derived from the Old German kreike which was a type of a wickelbaum, a type of medieval gallows used for hanging criminals.
Kreikenbaum is also spelled as Kreikenbaumer, Kreikenbauer, Kreikanbaum, Kreikanbaumer, Kreikanbauer, Krikenbaum, Krikenbaumer, Krikenbauer, Krichenbaum, Krichenbaummer, Krichenbauer, Krikanbaum, Kirkenbaum, and Kirkenbauer.
Other variants and surnames of the same origin include Kreger, Kriegbaum, Krieger, Rhiger, Kroger, Kerkenbauer, Kricker, Kracker, Krickenbauer, Kcker, Krieker, Kriner, Krehmer, Krinerin, Krickerin, Krickenbach, and Kriker.
The surname Kreikenbaum is common in areas in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries with German enclaves. It can also be found in parts of the US, Canada, and other parts of the world among descendants of German emigrants.
Famous people with the name Kreikenbaum
- Naama Kreikenbaum: Israeli actress, dancer, and choreographer.
- Herzl Kreikenbaum: Israeli rabbi and author of books about Jewish Law.
- Chaim Kreikenbaum: Former Israeli Air Force Commander and Major General.
- Michael Kreikenbaum: Austrian-German composer and conductor.
- Shlomo Kreikenbaum: Israeli film director and screenwriter.
- Itzhak Kreikenbaum: Israeli lawyer and former Minister of Health.
- Oded Kreikenbaum: Israeli violinist and conductor.
- Yehuda Kreikenbaum: Israeli painting and sculptor.
- Ezra Kreikenbaum: Israeli soccer player and former member of Maccabi Netanya Football Club.
- Simcha Kreikenbaum: Russian-born Israeli journalist and supermarket heir.