LL-L "Etymology" 2010.10.11 (02) [EN)

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*L O W L A N D S - L - 11 October 2010 - Volume 02
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>

Subject: Etymology

Dear Lowlanders,

I am wondering about the Low-Saxon-derived family name Kröger. Its German
equivalent is Krüger. Both mean “innkeeper” or “publican” and are based on
words for ‘pitcher’ or ‘jug’: Low Saxon *Kroog* (plural *Kröge* > *Krög’*),
German *Krug* (plural *Krüge*). In extension, these have come to mean
‘tavern’, ‘public (drinking) house’ as well (including Low-Saxon-derived *
krogi* in Latvian).

This is analogous to Western Slavic. Originating in Eastern Germany, the
“German” surnames Kretschmar and Kretschmer are not uncommon and occur here
in North America as well. (Kretschmer is my maternal grandmother’s maiden
name, and she was clearly at least partly of Sorbian descent.) “Publican” is
*korčmar* in Modern Upper Sorbian, *kjarcmaŕ* in Lower Sorbian, and
*krčmár*in Slovak. A pub is
*krčmy* in Slovak, while the Sorbian cognates seem to be lost. However,
Eastern German (used in [formerly] Sorbian-speaking areas) still use the
Sorbian loanword *Kretschme*, the Yiddish cognate being *kretshme* (קרעטשמע,
and ‘innkeeper being *kretshmer* [קרעטשמער]) Apparently, all this goes back
to an Old Slavic cognate (**krugь*?) of the aforementioned Germanic words *
Kroog* and *Krug*. The etymology of these are not clear but may have
something to do with roundness (e.g. Slavic **krokь* ‘circle’).

Old English *crōc* clearly belongs to this group of words as well. And what
of Old English *crocc* and* crocca*. All of them are supposed to go back to
Germanic **krogu* ‘jug’, ‘pot’ (> Old.Frisian *krocha* ‘pot’, Old Saxon *
kruka*, Middle Dutch *cruke*, Old German *kruog* ‘pitcher,’ ‘jug’, Old Norse
*krukka* ‘pot’ (cf. ‘jug’: Latvian* krūze*, Russian diminutive *kružka* [*
кружка*], the latter of which suggests the non-diminutive form **krug(ь)*)



In addition to *Kroog* (for the container), Low Saxon has *Kruuk* < *Kruke*,
which German borrowed as *Kruke*. All this is supposed to go back to Middle
Dutch *cruke* which later became *kruik*. I assume that the Dutch surname
Cruikschank* *is the equivalent of Kröger and Krüger, more specifically
someone that pours libations for others from a jug.

However, some borrowing, inter-Germanic borrowing included, seems to be
muddying the water. Old English *crōc*, *crocc* and* crocca *may be related
but may have different origins. Please consider English “crock”.

Furthermore, I wonder if the English surname Crocker began with the meaning
‘publican’ or ‘*maker* of jugs’ (the latter being analogous to Potter for
instance).

Any additions, ideas or hunches, anyone?

Thanks.

Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA



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