Surname Krauss - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Seeds of Time: An iGENEA Journey Through My Surname Krauss
Tracing back the roots of my surname, Krauss, through the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered fascinating historical contexts, cultural nuances, and insightful migration patterns. The explorations of this distinctly Germanic name led me down paths I never imagined, revealing a compelling narrative of my resilient ancestors' lives and their predispositions.
H. Krauss
read moreKrauss: What does the surname Krauss mean?
The last name Krauss is of German and Jewish origin. The word Krauss means short, curly, or wavy hair. It is thought to be derived from the German word "Kranz" which is the word referring to a wreath or crown-like arrangement of foliage, flowers, or ribbons.
The name is believed to have two distinct origins, with one being from Jewish and the other from German culture. In Germany, the name appears to come from a Roman military title recorded in Tacitus' "Germania". This was a low-ranking cavalryman called a "Krutanus" which evolved in German into a personal name "Krauss".
In Jewish culture, the last name is thought to have originated from origins of one's appearance and a Hebrew word meaning "Jew", or "Yehudi". The name is seen as a status symbol for many, indicating heritage and distinction, and is one of the most common in the Jewish diaspora.
The surnames evolve and fluctuate between Krauss, Kraus, Krause, and Kruss depending on one's geographic location. It can be found today throughout Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and countries of the Middle East.
Order DNA origin analysisKrauss: Where does the name Krauss come from?
The last name Krauss is most common in Germany today. In the country, Krauss is actually the ninth most common surname. It’s also seen in many neighboring countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The surname is particularly popular in the region of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.
Krauss is an old Germanic last name, with records first showing up in the 13th century. It likely comes from the word “krus”, which was used to describe a person who acted as a mayor or magistrate. It’s also possible that the surname was derived from locations or from a nickname.
The exact source of the surname is unclear, but one thing is for sure: Krauss is a popular last name around Germany today. It’s also becoming increasingly popular in other parts of Europe as well, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Krauss
The surnames Krauss and Kraus are variants of the same origin. Mysticus, Krauß, Krausz, Krause, and Krauskopf are among the many spellings and surname variations of Krauss. Most of these variations originated in the Middle Ages in the German language. The word krauss was used for 'angelo-Saxon', 'strange', or 'unusual', which has been linked to the root word ‘krusch’ which meant ‘broken’.
Today, the spelling with a double ‘s’, Krauss, is most commonly used. It’s believed to be derived from the Middle High German ‘krouwen’, which means ‘to curl, to twist’. This surname is most common in Germany, the United States, Austria and parts of northern France. In the United States, the spelling with an ‘s’ represents the German immigrants who arrived to the US in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Krauskopf is an Austrian surname, deriving from the Old High German ‘krusch’ and the Middle High German ‘kropf’, both of which mean ‘curl’ or ‘knot’. Krausz is an Iranian surname meaning ‘son of Krauss’. It might be related to the Ashkenazi Jewish surname Kruz. Other variants of this surname have also been derived from the German countryside up to today.
The phrase ‘von Krauss’ has sometimes been used in German as a title, but today it is typically used in formal contexts. Similarly, the prefix ‘de’, meaning ‘of’, has sometimes been affixed to the original surname in order to indicate nobility. Regardless of the spelling, the surname of Krauss is widely recognised as having an Angelic-German origin.
Famous people with the name Krauss
- Alison Krauss: She is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, and fiddler, who has won 27 Grammy Awards and has released 14 studio albums since 1987.
- Avery Krauss: He is a popular American rapper and actor, best known for his breakout role in the movie Straight Outta Compton.
- Dirk Krauss: He is a German goalkeeper who is currently under contract with VfL Wolfsburg.
- Felix Krauss: He is a former Austrian boxer who competed in the 1912 Olympics and won the bronze medal in the heavyweight class.
- Günter Krauss: He is a German actor and television presenter who has appeared in a number of sitcoms and TV shows over the years.
- Helena Krauss: She is an Austrian fashion designer, known for her avant-garde, modern creations.
- Hugo Krauss: He was a German biologist and botanist of the 19th century, and one of the founders of experimental plant physiology.
- Ingeborg Krauss: She was a German artist and avant-garde dancer of the early 20th century, and a pioneer of modern dance.
- Johann Krauss: He was an Austrian composer and music educator of the 19th century, and a student of Anton Bruckner.
- Karl Krauss: He was an Austrian writer, journalist, and satirist who is widely considered one of the greatest modern German-language authors.