Surname Krzan - Meaning and Origin

Krzan: What does the surname Krzan mean?

The last name Krzan is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word krzyżanin which means “cross-bearer” and likely referred to a crusader who served under the flag of the cross. The name may also originate from Krzań, a village in Poland.

Krzan could also refer to an occupational name for someone associated with ironworking. This could have meant the blacksmiths or men involved in forging tools. Indeed, Krzan is also connected to the old Slavic noun “krz” which translates to “ax”.

Throughout history, the Krzan family has relocated and expanded, eventually settling in places such as Germany and the United States. Although the actual ancestry of the Krzan family is unknown, it is likely they originated from south Scotland and Ireland.

The Krzan surname is both recognizable and unique. To this day, it symbolizes a long history of tradition and culture. Moreover, the name reflects the strength, courage, and loyalty the Krzan family stands for.

Krzan: Where does the name Krzan come from?

The last name Krzan is most commonly found within Central Europe, particularly in Poland and areas of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The name Krzan is believed to be derived from the Polish word 'korczan', which translates as 'bracelet'. It is thought to have originated from small trinkets worn at the wrist, often by nobility. In Poland, this was seen more as a show of wealth than purely decorative.

The surname spread across Central Europe through migration and intermarriage with the royal courts, eventually penetrating into the southeastern part of the continent. Today, two-thirds of the surname is concentrated in Poland. But aside from Poland, Krzan is also found in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Sweden, and Croatia.

In the early 20th century, several families with the last name Krzan immigrated to the U.S., so this surname can also be found in North America today. Notably, many of these families came from Prussia, Poland, and Germany, where the surname had been recorded as early as 1380.

The number of people with the last name Krzan isn't very large, however. According to U.S. census data, the surname is a rare one, ranking about 11,329 out of a total of 887,795 surnames in America. Despite this, the name Krzan is well represented in small towns across Central Europe and has some presence in the United States.

Variations of the surname Krzan

Krzan is a surname with Polish origin. Variants of this surname include Krzyn, Krzym, Krzyminski, Krzynowek, Krzyniak, Krzymuski, and Krusek. Spellings of this surname often vary slightly, for instance Krzan can be spelled Krżan, Kruzan, Krzhan or Krzan.

Krzan is derived from the Polish word 'Krz', meaning a crossroads or a point where two roads of a street come together, making it a toponymic or geographic surname. This indicates that the family with this surname likely originated from a locality named Krz, or from a place where intersections are common.

The surname has far-reaching migratory history, and can be found in many parts of the world. For example, in the United States and Canada, the surname is spelled Krzan, while in certain parts of Germany it is spelled Kruzan. Similarly, in Australia the surname is spelled Krzyn.

Krzan is also the root for surnames that sound similar, such as Krzeptowski, Krzesinski, Krzymowski, or Krzyzik. These surnames can be found primarily in Poland and Eastern Europe, and are likely derived from the same root.

The surname is also known to undergo various transformations, especially as families moved to different countries. For example, the surname Krzan can be altered to Krzane, Krzanecki, Krzeczkowski, and Krzeckowski.

In some cases, the surname may have been combined with other roots, such as the Latin word ‘cruce’, which means ‘cross’, resulting in surnames such as Kruczenski, Kruczyk, Kruczek, or Krzeczkowski. Variations of the surname may have also resulted from phonetic changes, pronunciation errors, and mishearings. For instance, Zarek is a variant of the surname Krzan.

Overall, Krzan is a multi-faceted surname with many variants, spellings, and related surnames. Each variation of this surname is likely to have its own unique meaning and history.

Famous people with the name Krzan

• Misha Krzan: Professional volleyball player from Poland.
• Robert Krzan: Polish snowboarder who competed in two Winter X Games.
• Kasia Krzan: Polish contemporary artist, known for her works depicting human figures within abstract and surreal landscapes.
• Katarzyna “Kasia” Krzan: Professional tennis player from Poland.
• Kinga Krzan: Professional water polo player from Poland.
• Jacek Krzan: Pole vaulting athlete from Poland.
• Julia Krzan: Cultural production manager from Poland.
• Andriy Krzan: Football player from Ukraine.
• Amadeusz Krzan: Professional race car driver from Poland.
• Magda Krzan: Professional basketball player from Poland.

Other surnames

Krzanowski