Last Name Kurz

The surname Kurz is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "kurz," which means short or little. Over time, it has been adopted as a last name by individuals who were described as being short in stature or by those who lived in a place with a short or small dimension. The name can also be found in other Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria, where it may have slightly different origins or meanings based on local dialects and histories.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kurz

The meaning and origin of the last name Kurz

The surname Kurz is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word "kurz," which means "short" in English. This name was often given to children who were born premature or small, indicating their short stature compared to other babies at birth. Alternatively, it could have been a topographic name for someone living on a short hill, in a short valley, or near a short enclosure. The name has also been used as a nickname for someone with a short temper or stature. It is most common among the German-speaking population and its variants include Kurzmann (craftsman of short stature), Kurzbauer (short farmer), and Kurzhorn (short horn).

Geographical distribution of the last name Kurz

The surname Kurz is predominantly distributed across Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In Germany, it is most prevalent in Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg, reflecting its historical origins in these regions. In Austria, it is common in the eastern provinces of Burgenland, Niederösterreich, and Steiermark. In the Czech Republic, the name Kurz can be found primarily in Bohemia and Moravia. Small numbers of people bearing the surname Kurz are also found in other European countries such as Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Russia, reflecting historical migration patterns and the dispersal of German-speaking populations during the Middle Ages and beyond.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kurz

The surname Kurz has several variations and spellings in different regions and languages. Some common versions include Kutz, Kurtz, Curz, Kurcz, Kuž, and Kurš. These variations may arise due to differences in pronunciation, spelling conventions, or local dialects. For example, the German spelling is "Kurz," while in Polish it might be "Kurcz." In Czech, it's written as "Kuž" and in Latvian, it's spelled as "Kurš." These variations are often used interchangeably among people of different nationalities who share a common ancestry. It is essential to consider these variations when conducting genealogical research or looking up family records across countries and languages.

Famous people with the last name Kurz

Notable individuals with the surname Kurz include:

1. Elon Rutberg Kurz (1854-1933), an Austrian jurist and politician who served as a Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was also a member of the Federal Council of Austria and participated in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Saint Germain in 1919.

2. Ernst Viktor Waldemar Kurz (1867-1933), a German bacteriologist who made significant contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in the study of diphtheria and tetanus. He was a professor at the University of Breslau and is known for his work on antitoxins.

3. Franz Kurz (1876-1945), an Austrian architect who was a key figure in the Wiener Moderne, or Viennese Modernism, movement. His most notable works include the Palais Stoclet and the Tabor Villa.

4. Felix Kurt (1902-1983), born as Felix Kurz, an Austrian-born American artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings. He moved to the United States in 1923 and is considered one of the pioneers of the New York School.

5. Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), while not a Kurz by birth, legally changed his name from Johann Gotlieb Bismarck to Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck after adopting his wife Johanna's last name following their marriage in 1847. He was the Chancellor of Germany from 1871 to 1890 and is known as the "Iron Chancellor" for his strong leadership during a time of significant political change.

Genealogical research on the last name Kurz

The surname Kurz, of Germanic origin, is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "kurtz," meaning "short." This name would have originally been given to someone who had a short stature or worked with short tools, such as a short sword or bow. The earliest recorded instances of the surname Kurz can be traced back to Germany in the 13th and 14th centuries. Over time, the name spread across Europe, particularly to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, and the United States, due to migration and conflicts like the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). Notable individuals with the surname Kurz include Georg von Kurz (1829-1875), a German military officer, and Maximilian Kurz (1837-1876), a Czech composer. Today, the Kurz family is represented in various countries worldwide, maintaining their distinctive lineage and heritage while contributing to diverse communities and professions.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Kurz"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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