Katz

Surname: Katz

Origin: German and Jewish (Ashkenazic)

Pronunciation: /käts/

Meaning: The surname Katz is of German and Jewish origin, specifically Ashkenazic. It is a matronymic surname derived from the Hebrew name "Kohen Tsedek," meaning "righteous priest." The name is also associated with the Biblical figure "Kat" or "Kats" in Hebrew.

History: The surname Katz has a long history, with records of the name dating back to medieval times in Germany. Jewish families adopted the Katz surname as early as the 15th century. The surname is prevalent among Jewish communities, particularly in Ashkenazic Jewish families of German descent.

Distribution: The surname Katz is most commonly found in Germany, Israel, and the United States, reflecting the historical migration patterns of Jewish populations. In the United Kingdom, the Katz surname is less common but can be found among Jewish communities.

Famous People: Notable individuals with the surname Katz include Austrian-American art historian Otto Karl Wilhelm von Kats, Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman (birth name Menashe Kadischman), and American entrepreneur and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, Lawrence J. Ellison, who was born Lawrence Joseph Ellison.

Variants: Variants of the surname Katz include Kats, Catt, and Catts.

Coat of Arms: The Katz family crest features a shield adorned with symbols representing strength, wisdom, and faith, reflecting the family's heritage and values.

The Katz surname holds significant historical and cultural importance within Jewish communities, symbolising righteousness, priestly lineage, and a sense of tradition passed down through generations.

There are approximately 1,035 people named Katz in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,174th most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Katz.

Religion of origin: Jewish

Language of origin: Hebrew

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • Daniel
  • David
  • Jonathan
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Philip
  • Robert
  • Simon

Female

  • Danielle
  • Emma
  • Jacqueline
  • Karen
  • Louise
  • Michelle
  • Rebecca
  • Ruth
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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