Surname Krayss - Meaning and Origin
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Krayss: What does the surname Krayss mean?
The last name Krayss is of German origin. It is a derived from a given name or occupational name, most likely coming from the Middle High German word 'kraehe' which means 'crow' or 'blackbird'. This suggests that the original owner of the name may have had some connection with these birds, such as being a farmer who kept them for fencing purposes.
Krayss is also an uncommon spelling for the Old Slavonic name 'Krash', which means 'mountain'. This indicates that those who possess the name Krayss may have had ancestral roots in Eastern European countries.
In some Central European countries, the name Krayss is associated with nobility, suggesting that the Krayss family could be of noble descent. The name is also associated with a strong religious heritage and may have referred to a family of protestant originating in the historic region of Silesia.
The name Krayss is generally considered to be a patronymic form, so its exact meaning is difficult to determine without further information related to the person in question. However, whatever it may mean, it has been passed down through the generations, and contains the story of a long shared heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKrayss: Where does the name Krayss come from?
The last name Krayss is most commonly associated with the famous British gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The two East End brothers ran London’s underworld during the 1960s and became legendary figures within English popular culture.
The name Krayss remains rare outside of the UK. The surname was most likely derived from a Germanic or Scandinavian origin, and there are a few records and families bearing the surname in Germany, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe. Some families bearing the name can also be found in former colonies of the British Empire, such as in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
For the most part, though, the surname Krayss remains rare. In the UK, there are fewer than 500 people with the last name Krayss, and many of them are likely to be related to the Kray family.
The surname remains more commonly seen in popular culture than in everyday life, with films, songs, books, and television shows paying homage to the legendary Kray brothers. The name Krayss will forever be linked with the notorious and infamous exploits of the two East End brothers.
Variations of the surname Krayss
The surname Krayss is derived from the German word Krähe which means "crow". Variants and spellings of this surname include Krais, Kraess, Kraysel, Kraisel, Krausel, Krauß, Kraut, Krause, Krausser, Krouss, Krues, Krus, Kraesel, Kress and Krezel. It has also been found in other languages such as Yiddish and Czech, as Krayz and Krez.
In addition to the spelling variants, there are other surnames which are related to the Krayss surname. In German, these include Kräs, Krätz, Kraetcz, Kroetsch, Kretsch, Kretch, Krezel, Krezel, Kriss, Kruz, Kruzemann, Kruzek, Kruss, Krüsse and Kruszka. The Kress and Kresslin variants are found in the regions of Alsace and Lorraine.
Czech variants of the surname include Krejci, Kres, Kreslinec and Krejcilova. Other surnames which may be associated with Krayss include Krezus, Kroon, Kroos, Kruzes, Kratz and Krausz.
In addition, Krayss contributes as a middle name in numerous countries from Britain to Hungary, which gives it wider reach and recognition.
Famous people with the name Krayss
- Reggie Kray: The most well-known member of the Kray twins, Reggie was a notorious British gangster who ran an organized crime empire alongside his twin brother, Ronnie.
- Ronnie Kray: Alongside Reggie, Ronnie was a notorious organized crime boss in the 1960s London underworld
- Moss Kray: The son of Reggie and Frances Shea, Mr. Kray was a civil servant who took on the surname Kray from his father after his mother married Reggie in 1965.
- Dave Courtney: The English underworld figure and author underwent a name change to Dave Kray in the 1970s, making him an honorary member of the infamous family.
- Gary Kray: A British actor and filmmaker, Gary often portrayed fictional characters based on his own father, Reggie Kray.
- George Richard Kray: A prominent architect who began his career in the 1890s, Richard is recognized for his older structures in London, most notably the Tower Gardens Terrace and St. Bartholomew’s Church.
- Robert Kray: A master craftsman, Robert is recognized for his work in the late 1800s with stained glass designs in churches across England.
- Reginald Lee Kray: Born in May 1945, Reginald was the first son of Reggie and Frances Shea Kray.