Kratzer
A German surname that most likely began as a nickname or occupational name tied to scratching, scraping, or rough work.
The #9,332 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 88,466 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Kratzer comes from German words built on kratzen, meaning "to scratch" or "to scrape." As a surname, it probably began as a nickname for someone with a scratchy or abrasive manner, or as an occupational label for a person who scraped, scratched, or cleaned materials in some way. In some cases it may also reflect a place-name or a variant formation, but the most common explanation is nickname-based.
History
The name is found in German-speaking areas and was later carried overseas by emigrants, especially to North America. Like many German surnames, it was stabilized as a hereditary family name during the late medieval and early modern periods. In English-speaking countries it is comparatively uncommon but easily recognized as German in origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
German surnames based on everyday verbs or characteristics are very common, and Kratzer is one of the more vivid examples because its root still clearly suggests the action of scratching or scraping.