UK surname
A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname derived from the German word "kurz," meaning "short" in stature or length.
In the 1881 census there were 57 people recorded with the Kurtz surname, ranking it #25,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 91, ranked #32,109, down from #25,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kurtz is 162 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.6%.
1881 census count
57
Ranked #25,575
Modern count
91
2016, ranked #32,109
Peak year
1911
162 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kurtz surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kurtz surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 12 | #31,134 |
| 1861 | historical | 14 | #32,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 57 | #25,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 67 | #28,424 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 162 | #17,003 |
| 1997 | modern | 75 | #30,109 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 91 | #28,937 |
| 2000 | modern | 82 | #29,922 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 89 | #29,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 84 | #29,978 |
| 2004 | modern | 90 | #29,481 |
| 2005 | modern | 84 | #30,359 |
| 2006 | modern | 85 | #30,556 |
| 2007 | modern | 83 | #31,183 |
| 2008 | modern | 82 | #31,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 89 | #31,235 |
| 2010 | modern | 93 | #31,239 |
| 2011 | modern | 91 | #31,442 |
| 2012 | modern | 90 | #31,790 |
| 2013 | modern | 94 | #31,656 |
| 2014 | modern | 99 | #31,186 |
| 2015 | modern | 93 | #31,972 |
| 2016 | modern | 91 | #32,109 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, St Leonard Shoreditch and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kurtz surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kurtz, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Kurtz surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kurtz household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Kurtz is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kurtz is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kurtz, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kurtz is of German origin and is believed to have first emerged in the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "kurz," which means "short" or "brief." The name is thought to have originally been a descriptive nickname given to someone of short stature or a person with a short temper.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kurtz can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, Germany, dating back to the 13th century. The name appears as "Curt" and "Curtze," which are believed to be early variations of the modern spelling.
In the 15th century, the surname Kurtz is mentioned in the Zimmern Chronicle, a historical account of the Zimmern family from the region of Swabia in southwestern Germany. The chronicle mentions a "Hans Kurtz," suggesting that the name was in use in this area during that time period.
One notable individual with the surname Kurtz was Johann Kurtz, a German astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1574 to 1651. He is known for his contributions to the development of the Gregorian calendar and his work on celestial mechanics.
Another historical figure with the name Kurtz was Johann Gottfried Kurtz, a German theologian and author who lived from 1654 to 1720. He wrote extensively on religious topics and is remembered for his work in promoting the spread of Pietism, a religious movement within Lutheranism.
In the 19th century, the surname Kurtz was associated with several notable individuals, including the German author and philosopher Hermann Kurtz (1813-1892), and the American historian and author John Nicholas Kurtz (1820-1892), who wrote extensively on the history of the United States.
The name Kurtz has also been linked to various place names in Germany, such as Kurtzenhausen, a town in the state of Baden-Württemberg, and Kurtzenberg, a hill in the region of Swabia. These place names may have influenced the spelling and spread of the surname over time.
Throughout history, the surname Kurtz has maintained its Germanic roots and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, authors, and religious figures. While its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the name has endured and continues to be used in various parts of the world today.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kurtz surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 27 Kurtz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.86x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 27 | 4.86x |
| Essex | 12 | 10.93x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.21x |
| Denbighshire | 5 | 23.81x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.61x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shoreditch London in Middlesex leads with 11 Kurtz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.64x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreditch London | 11 | 45.64x |
| Hackney London | 10 | 32.08x |
| Leyton Low | 8 | 358.74x |
| Carshalton | 5 | 480.77x |
| Llanrwst Capel Garmon | 5 | 2941.18x |
| West Ham | 4 | 16.51x |
| Greenwich | 3 | 33.90x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 3 | 124.48x |
| Tottenham | 2 | 22.60x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.06x |
| Litherland | 1 | 72.46x |
| Orell Ford | 1 | 833.33x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.37x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 28.01x |
| Wavertree | 1 | 47.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kurtz surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kurtz surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kurtz households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Baker | 4 |
| Manufacturing Chemist | 3 |
| Inft | 2 |
| Licensed Victualler | 2 |
| Master Baker | 2 |
| ((Danish West Indies)) | 1 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Deaconess (Hospital) | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Gentleman | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Medical Student | 1 |
| Salesman General | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 57 people were recorded with the Kurtz surname. That placed it at #25,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 91 in 2016. That gives Kurtz a modern rank of #32,109.
A German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname derived from the German word "kurz," meaning "short" in stature or length.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kurtz bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.