Surname Kraft - Meaning and Origin

Fascinating Journey into the Past: Unearthing the Legacy of My Surname, Kraft, Through an iGENEA DNA Test

My journey into my past, unveiled by my iGENEA DNA test results, took me through an emotional rollercoaster, as it led me to uncover the origins and tales surrounding my surname, Kraft. The story is filled with great migration tales, battles, resilience and survival, painting a riveting image of my forefathers' journey and the circumstances surrounding the Kraft surname.

T. Kraft

Kraft: What does the surname Kraft mean?

The surname Kraft is of German origin and translates to "strength" or "power" in English. It was often used as a nickname for a strong or tough person, possibly deriving from a person's occupation that required physical strength, such as a manual laborer or blacksmith. Some theories suggest it could have also been used for a crafty or cunning individual in certain contexts. The use of such occupational or characteristic-based names was common in medieval Europe. Today, many people across the world, particularly in Germany, the United States, and Canada, bear the surname Kraft.

Kraft: Where does the name Kraft come from?

The surname Kraft is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "kraft," meaning strength or power. This surname was likely bestowed on its first bearers because they were persons known for their physical strength or possibly their powerful personalities. The surname Kraft could also have been an occupational name, given to a strong manual laborer.

Today, the surname Kraft is common in Germany, and it's also prevalent in the United States, being carried by many descendants of German immigrants. You will also find individuals with this surname in other parts of the world, including Austria, Switzerland and Canada, likely due to the patterns of German emigration over the centuries. Famous people with the last name Kraft include American businessman and owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, and German-Romanian writer Herta Müller (born Müller-Kraft). Despite its origins and greater prevalence in German-speaking regions and communities, the surname Kraft is now borne by individuals from many different ethnic and national backgrounds, reflecting the interconnectedness of our contemporary world.

Variations of the surname Kraft

The surname Kraft is of German origin, meaning "strength" or "force". It can be found prevalent mainly in Germany but also in Austria, the United States, Canada, and Brazil due to German immigration. Variant forms of Kraft include Krafts, Kraftt, and Kravt. In some cases, it can be anglicized to Craft or Crafts.

In terms of phonetic similarity, there are surnames like Kraf, Krafft, and Kraff. Sometimes, the "K" at the beginning of the name is replaced with a "C", resulting in versions like Craft, Crafft, or Craff.

The surname Kraft might belong to the same cultural origin with other German surnames that contain the element "kraft", such as Reinkraft or Starkraft. These surnames are, however, not necessarily variations of Kraft, as they may have been derived independently.

There are also numerous surnames containing the word "Kraft" as a part of a larger compound: Kraftmann, Kraftmeyer, and Kraftberger, for example. Again, these are not strictly variants of Kraft, but rather independent surnames with the same etymological component.

Famous people with the name Kraft

• Robert Kraft: American businessman and owner of the New England Patriots, an NFL team.
• Daniel Kraft: American physician-scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur, known for his role in digital health and personalized medicine.
• Rick Kraft: A renowned motivational speaker and author who has traveled across the world to spread his inspirational message.
• James L Kraft: Founder of Kraft Foods Inc., a major North American food manufacturing company.
• David Kraft: Prolific American comic-book writer and editor.
• Sarah Kraft: Known independent producer, director, and writer.
• Billy Kraft: Famous American former professional baseball player.
• Jim Kraft: Former American football player.
• Tim Kraft: Served in the Carter administration as Assistant to the President for Political Affairs.
• Chris Kraft: Was an American aerospace engineer and NASA engineer.
• Danny Kraft: Professional Boxer and light heavyweight Champion.
• Ortwin Kraft: German rugby union international.
• Nina Kraft: German triathlete, who was a two-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion.
• Renee Kraft: Professional golfer.
• Ellie Kraft: British professional singer-songwriter.
• George Karl Kraft: Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.
• John Kraft: Notable economist and a higher education administrator.
• Art Kraft: Professional wrestler from the mid-twentieth century.

Other surnames

KrafcickKrafcsikKrafczikKrafczyckKrafczykKraffczykKrafferdtKraffertKraffordKrafftKraffzickKraffzikKräftenKräftingKraftschenkoKraftschukKrafussKrafußKrafzickKrafzigKrafzik