Meaning and origin
The last name Katz originates from Germany and is derived from the Hebrew word "Kohen," meaning priest. The name was often given to those of priestly lineage, and over time, it evolved to "Katz" in Germany. The name is also believed to have Jewish Ashkenazi origins, as it was commonly adopted by families of the Kohanim, a priestly caste in Judaism.
The longer story
The last name Katz has origins in various cultures and can be found in different parts of the world. Its meaning and history provide fascinating insights into the diverse backgrounds of individuals who bear this surname.
The surname Katz is of German and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. In Germany, the name Katz is derived from the German word "Kater," which means tomcat or male cat. The name may have been given to individuals to denote characteristics associated with cats, such as agility or stealthiness.
Within the Ashkenazi Jewish community, Katz is a common surname that holds special significance. The use of acronyms as surnames was a common practice among Ashkenazi Jews during the Middle Ages as a way to indicate their family's religious status.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,101
Katz was the 1,101st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 31,780 people, about 11 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Katz
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Katz is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.