Surname Carius - Meaning and Origin
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Carius: What does the surname Carius mean?
The name Carius is derived from the Latin personal name "Carus" that means "dear" or "beloved." This name was commonly given to fathers in the Roman Empire who watched over their children closely and lovingly. Carius is a surname that was used from very early times in Europe.
Carius is an established name in Germany, where it has been recorded since the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in Middle High German areas of Germany, like Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. In other places like France and Scandinavia, it appeared later but it was still recorded in documents of those nations. As time passed and Germany developed into a nation, Carius became one of the most widespread surnames in the German language.
The name Carius is now widely used and, due to its German heritage, it continues to be linked to its original meaning of beloved or dear. It is sometimes associated with strong family ties, respect and loyalty to tradition. Even within Germany, variants of the name have emerged as its popularity has grown, providing several spelling variations such as Careus, Karus and Karis. Despite the different spellings though, at its core the name still carries the same meaning of affection, care and protection.
Order DNA origin analysisCarius: Where does the name Carius come from?
The surname Carius is most common today in northern and central Europe. It has a particularly high frequency in Germany, where it is among the 1,000 commonest surnames in the country. The name can also be found in Scandinavia, the Low Countries and parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
In Germany, the origins of the Carius surname can traced back to the middle ages, when it was recorded in place names. It likely originated as a patronymic, meaning it derived from the name of a person’s father. A common variant of the name is Karis which is also recorded in Germany.
In modern day, the surname Carius is still popular in certain regions of Europe. It is particularly common in the cities of Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne. In nearby Austria, the surname has a slightly lower but still notable presence.
A number of notable people throughout history have borne the Carius surname. These include a Prussian general, a Finnish composer, and an inventor, amongst others.
Today, the Carius surname is dispersed throughout Europe, often keeping the same spelling. It remains a relatively common surname in this region of the world.
Variations of the surname Carius
The surname Carius is derived from the Latin word ‘carus’, meaning 'dear'. Carius is typically a German-based surname, although variations of the name can be found in other regions as well.
Variants of the name Carius include Karus, Karius, Kaar, Careas, Caraas, Careys, Caris, Cariss and Carees.
In Germany, the name may also appear as Karusch or Karisch. In France, spellings of the name include Carre, Caresse, Caray, Carasse and Carayes, while in Spain the variations are Carras, Charris and Carraso.
Different spellings and surnames may arise in different nations or regions due to cultural influences and slight differences in pronunciation of the name. For example, the Carius surname may appear as Cari or Carri in Austria and America respectively.
In the Netherlands, the spelling of the name is often Cariusz or Karis, while in Italy and Romania the surname is Carja or Caria. In Scotland, the Carius surname has evolved to carry, Carie or Curry, while in Hungary it has become Karasz or Kárász.
Overall, the surname varies in spelling and pronunciation in various nations and regions, due to changes in linguistic norms. Despite these differences, the surname Carius has one common origin, stemming from the Latin carus, meaning ‘dear’.
Famous people with the name Carius
- Sebastian Carius: German diver who competed for the national team, winning the 2004 and 2006 European Championships 10m platform event.
- Ken Carius: professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics.
- Kai Carius: former professional tennis player from Germany who achieved a career high ranking of world no. 16 in 1998.
- Johannes Carius: German painter mainly known for his landscape and maritime art.
- Mike Carius: American basketball coach who is currently the assistant director of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Mario Carius: Austrian professional football and basketball player who played for teams in Austria, Germany and the United States.
- Lothar Carius: German composer and organist who composed operas and musical dramas.
- Helge Carius: German sportsman who competed in the decathlon at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Paula Carius: German judoka, gold medalist at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the women's 56 kg category.
- Eduard Carius: German botanist and phycologist who specialized in the field of algae.