Surname Crato - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Crato: What does the surname Crato mean?
The surname Crato is most likely derived from the Latin word "crates," meaning "strong." The name may have been originally a nickname given to a particularly strong or resilient person.
The name Crato is found in Portugal, as well as some regions of Spain, primarily Castile and Leon. It’s one of the oldest surnames in the Iberian Peninsula and dates back to medieval times. It was likely kept throughout generations by the same family, as Portuguese surnames tend to be quite hereditary.
The earliest records of the name date back to the 12th century and were held in Galicia in the birth records of Domingo and Franco Cretos. Both men were described as “from Castile” in the records. Since then, the surname has spread throughout Portugal and Spain.
The Crato line of Portugal is said to have begun with Ferdinand Alvarez de Crato who was Prime Minister of Portugal in the mid-15th century. He was the third Count of Crato, the title given to this line of the family.
The Crato family has made its mark on history throughout the centuries from Ferdinand Alvarez de Crato to today’s prominent business and political figures. Today, the surname Crato is found mainly in Portugal and Spain and is still one of the oldest surnames in Iberia.
Order DNA origin analysisCrato: Where does the name Crato come from?
The last name Crato is most commonly found today in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, the name is particularly prevalent in the northern region of the country. It's thought that the name originated as a derivative of the Latin word Cratus, meaning "strong".
In Brazil, the name is also quite popular, primarily in the southern part of the country. Here, the name is thought to have originated from the Portuguese settlers who arrived in the country during the colonial period. The name is pronounced similarly in both Portugal and Brazil, and is spelled with a "C" instead of a "K".
The Crato name is also quite popular in Sicily, where it may have originated from the Arab phrase “Carati”, meaning “the strong”. This origin is reflected in the Italian pronunciation of the name, which is closer to “Kar-AH-toh”.
The name is also found in smaller numbers in other countries such as the United States, France, and Canada. In the United States, the name is primarily found among individuals of Portuguese and Brazilian ancestry.
Overall, the name Crato is most commonly found in Portugal, Brazil, and other parts of Southern Europe. While the exact origin of the last name may remain a mystery, it is clear that it has become a popular surname in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Crato
The surname Crato is known to be of Portuguese origin. It is a variation of the name “Crato” and can be found in many forms. Variations include “Krato," “Kratos," “Kratus," “Kratous," “Krattus," “Krattos" and “Krattous.”
It is also common to find Crato spelled with accentuated “a’s” as in “Cráto” and “Crâto.” This spelling is often used to represent the Portuguese pronunciation of the name.
The most common variations of the surname Crato include: Krawtoe, Krahtou, Cratt, Cratto, Kratto, Krattoe, and Kratow. Other variants, such as Krahtos, Kratti, Krattou, and Kratos, may be found in some areas, but are not as commonly seen.
Surnames of similar origin to Crato, include Crates, Catarino, Cravo,Craven, Cravens, Cravey, Cellario, and Cello.
In addition, some families changed their surnames to Crato due to local language influences or to make it easier to spell and pronounce. Examples of this are Kreato, Kreto,Kerato, and Kreting.
Overall, Crato is a Portuguese surname that has been passed down through generations by families. Its various variants, spellings, and surnames with similar origins are a testament to the long and rich history of this name.
Famous people with the name Crato
- Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 4th Count of Crato (15th century Portuguese soldier and Regent of the Kingdom of Portugal)
- Paulo Condessa de Crato (Brazilian podcaster and radio broadcaster)
- Eduardo da Costa Pereira, the 2nd Count of Crato (19th century Portuguese nobleman)
- Laura Cristina Crato (Portuguese politician and member of the Social Democratic Party)
- Fátima Crato (Portuguese actress and TV presenter)
- Roberto da Costa Pereira, the 6th Count of Crato (Portuguese agricultural engineer and entrepreneur)
- Mariana da Costa Pereira, the 8th Count of Crato (Portuguese lawyer and philanthropist)
- Michael da Costa Pereira, the 10th Count of Crato (Portuguese businessman and sportsperson)
- João da Costa Pereira, the 5th Count of Crato (Portuguese surgeon)
- Francisco da Costa Pereira, the 1st Count of Crato (16th century Portuguese military official)