Surname Krifft - Meaning and Origin
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Krifft: What does the surname Krifft mean?
Krifft is a Germanic surname derived from an old personal name Krift, which is derived from the Old High German “kroft” meaning “force” or “power”. It also may have been used to refer to someone who wielded an axe, as “kroft” was also used to refer to the tool. Generally, the surname was probably more stereotypically associated with blacksmiths and artisans who worked with tools and force.
The first historical appearance of the name is in the 12th century, in the Parochial Records of Thuringia, Germany. The first recorded bearers of the name were Rodegerus and Brunckus Krifft. Eventually, the family name spread beyond its Germanic roots. One such example is the 19th century immigrant to the United States from Bavaria, Johann Krifft, who was listed as a farmer in the 1870 census.
Today, the surname is most commonly seen in Germany, the United States, Austria, and Switzerland. Krifft is not a particularly common name, and those who do bear the name should be proud of its heritage. It is a reminder of the strong and hard-working individuals of a bygone era – who exemplified the power of individual strength, determined effort, and commitment.
Order DNA origin analysisKrifft: Where does the name Krifft come from?
The last name Krifft is most likely German in origin. It is not common today, but is found mainly in Germany, although a few families have spread to other countries. According to Forebears, a genealogy and surname database, the Krifft surname is mainly scattered around Germany, with concentrations in western and southern regions. The name is rarely found outside of these areas. In Germany, the areas with the highest concentrations of the Krifft surname are Sachsen-Anhalt and Baden-Württemberg in the southwest, as well as Berlin and Hamburg in the north and northeast.
The surname Krifft is particularly rare in other countries. According to ancestry.com, it is found in small numbers in Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States, but is not found in other countries. In the United States, the name is primarily found in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Texas, as well as California. However, the most concentrated area in the United States for the Krifft surname is in Bladen County, North Carolina, where a family migrated to in the 19th century.
All in all, the origin of the German last name Krifft is traceable to Germany, particularly in the southwest and southeast regions, with lower concentrations across other regions. The surname is also found in small numbers outside of Germany, primarily in the United States, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Krifft
Krifft is a surname of Germanic origin, spelled variably as Krifft, Kreft, Krefft, Kraft, Krafft or Krofft.
The variants of this surname indicate a likely origin from the Middle High German Krift meaning dike, mound, raft, or fen. The surname was possibly first borne by someone who lived near such a structure.
In Germany, the surname first appears in records around the 14th century. Later on, some bearers of the surname moved to other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, and then eventually, to distant places such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Due to regional differences in pronunciation, the surname Krifft has various mutations that appear in records of different countries. In the Netherlands, the surname was often spelled as Kraft, Krafft or Krofft, while in Germany and Austria, it may appear as Kreft, Krefft, or Kraft.
In the United States, the surname may be spelled or pronounced in various ways, including Krifft and Kraft. One of the earliest records of the surname Krifft in the United States is from Pennsylvania in 1737, when Jacob Krifft emigrated from what is now Germany.
While many of the Krifft families around the world today could be descended from the original immigrant family, there could be other, unrelated families that have adopted the surname. But all would have likely adopted the spelling of Krifft in honor of the original immigrant family.
Famous people with the name Krifft
- Mark Kiwi Krifft: Mark is a professional surfer and stunt man from New Zealand. He has won multiple world surfing championships and completed stunts for major Hollywood movies.
- Richard Krifft: Richard is a well-known industrialist and philanthropist. He's the CEO of Krifft Industries and the founder of the Krifft Foundation, which funds programs to support youth and environment.
- Helga Krifft: Helga is a German sculptor renown for her provocative sculptures. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Staatskunstpreis and has held several solo shows in Europe and the U.S.
- Lauren Krifft: Lauren is an American country singer-songwriter. She has released five albums and had multiple hits on the US Billboard chart.
- Aaron Krifft: Aaron is a professional ice hockey player from Canada. He currently plays in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and won the Stanley Cup in 2019.
- Charlie Krifft: Charlie is an award-winning writer from Ireland. His books have been released in over 25 languages and in 2018, he won the Man Booker Prize.
- Henry Krifft: Henry is a British entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and chairman of Krifft Group, a multi-national conglomerate with investments across technology, media, and finance.
- Donald Krifft: Donald is a Canadian Olympian who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics for swimming. He has also won multiple international amateur swimming titles.
- Vincent Krifft: Vincent is a jazz musician from Holland. He has released two albums and received four Grammy nominations.
- Daisy Krifft: Daisy is a Swiss painter whose artwork has featured in multiple international exhibitions. She is known for her pioneering abstract painting style.