Last Name Creitz

Learn more about the origin of the last name Creitz

The meaning and origin of the last name Creitz

The surname Creitz is of German origin, derived from various place names in Germany, particularly in the regions of Thuringia, Saxony, and Westphalia. These places were named after the old German word "Kreuz," meaning cross, due to landmarks featuring a cross or where a crossroads was located. Over time, it evolved into different spellings such as Kreutz, Kreytz, and Creitz. The surname's migration is largely associated with the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century when many Germans moved to other parts of Europe and North America seeking religious freedom.

Geographical distribution of the last name Creitz

The last name Creitz is predominantly of German origin and has historical roots in several regions within Germany. In contemporary times, significant populations bearing this surname can be found in areas such as Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. Emigration patterns during the 19th and early 20th centuries have led to a dispersal of individuals with the surname Creitz across various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. In North America, the highest concentrations of this surname are found in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin in the United States, as well as Ontario and British Columbia in Canada. In recent years, there has also been a growth in Creitz populations in urban centers such as New York City and Toronto due to immigration and migration trends.

Variants and spellings of the last name Creitz

The surname Creitz has several variations and spellings due to transcription errors over time and regional differences. Some common spelling variants include Creetz, Kreitz, Krezit, Krеitz, Křetíz, and Créite. These variations can be found across different countries, with the name originating from Germanic or Slavic roots, depending on the specific family history. In English-speaking regions, Creitz is more commonly spelled as Creetz or Kreitz, while in Central European countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it may be written as Křetíz or Krеitz respectively. It's essential to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different family lineages but rather reflect historical changes in naming conventions and spelling.

Famous people with the last name Creitz

Notable individuals with the surname Creitz include:

1. Arthur H. Creitz (1923-2008), an American mathematician known for his work on fluid mechanics and mathematical physics. He was a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for over 40 years.

2. Daniel C. Creitz (born 1965), an American chemist who specializes in materials chemistry and nanoscience. He is currently the Joseph C. O'Neill Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Yale University.

3. Gail Creutz (born 1948), an American actress who has appeared in films such as "The Godfather Part III" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." She also had a recurring role on the television series "L.A. Law."

4. Gerhard W. Creutz (born 1936), a German physicist who made significant contributions to the field of condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of mesoscopic systems and quantum dots. He is a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

5. John H. Creitz (1924-2003), an American physicist who worked on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. He was a professor at the University of Michigan for over 30 years and is considered one of the founding fathers of modern NMR.

Genealogical research on the last name Creitz

The surname Creitz originates from Germany and is a variant of the original form Kreutz, which translates to "cross" in German. This name was originally an occupational surname for a cross-maker or for someone who lived near a crossroad. The first recorded use of the name Creitz can be traced back to the early 14th century in Germany.

Notable individuals with the last name Creitz include Johann Andreas Schmieder-Creutz, a notable jurist and writer from the 19th century, and Henry J. Creitz, an American geophysicist who made significant contributions to seismology. The name has also been found among German immigrants in the United States during the 1800s, with concentrations of the family settling primarily in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Today, the Creitz surname is still predominantly found in Germany and the United States, although it has also spread to other countries due to migration over the centuries. The name has several spelling variations, including Kritz, Kreutz, Cressey, Creight, and Cretz, among others, due to transliteration and transcription errors during historical record-keeping and immigration processes.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Creitz"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025