Surname Kraefft - Meaning and Origin

Kraefft: What does the surname Kraefft mean?

The last name Kraefft is a German surname derived from the root word "craft." It refers to the profession of craftsmanship or skilled manual labor. This type of work was often undertaken by descendants of medieval craftsmen or those employed to create or repair complex items or material.

The word “Kraefft” is thought to have first appeared in Germany in the 11th century, and was likely derived from the Latin word “Craf”, which means skill or cunning. The surname would have originally indicated a person who demonstrated skilled dexterity or craftsmanship in their work.

Today, the name Kraefft is likely still associated with skilled craftwork in some regard, though in modern times it has also become a surname shared by many individuals with no direct connection to the original medieval profession. Well known people bearing the Kraefft surname include the German entrepreneur, Johann Kraefft, and the American author, Esther Kraefft.

Overall, Kraefft is a descriptive surname with a long and interesting history. It refers to skilled craftsmanship, a profession associated with medieval Germanic culture, and has been passed down through families as a surname for hundreds of years.

Kraefft: Where does the name Kraefft come from?

The last name Kraefft is most commonly found in Germany and surrounding areas, although it is also present in other countries in Europe. In Germany it is most prevalent in the area of Thuringia, located in the center of the country and its largest cities are Erfurt and Weimar. In the past, this region has been an important center of textile production, paper making, and printing.

The family name first appears in the year 1457 and is derived from a place name. Records show that a noble von Kraefft family lived in Thuringia during the 14th and 15th centuries. The name can also be traced to the nearby town of Krautheim in Baden-Wuerttemberg, where members of the family moved from Thuringia. Today the name is still found in the region as well as in other parts of Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe.

Outside of Europe, Kraefft can be found in the United States and Canada in families that are descended from German immigrants. The family name appears in many records from the late 1800s and early 1900s of immigrants settling in the Midwest region.

Overall, the surname Kraefft is most commonly associated with the region of Thuringia, Germany, but it is also found in other parts of the world, including North America and Eastern Europe. The history of the family name is long and varied, and its Old German roots can still be traced today in families all over the world.

Variations of the surname Kraefft

The surname Kraefft is of German origin and is spelled variously as Krafft, Kraft, Kraff, Kratz, Kratzt, Kratzte, Kreut, Kraut, Krait, Kraeft, Kraeftte, Kraffte, and Krafftte. It is derived from the Middle High German words 'kranc', which means bold, and 'krūt', which means power.

The name is most closely associated with several German states, where it is particularly common in the western regions. The various spellings of the name suggest that there are several different branches, all with different origins. In some cases, it may be a variant of the name Kröger, which is derived from the old German 'Kräger', meaning astute/crafty. It is also found in many other countries, particularly in the United States and other countries of North and South America.

The surname Kraefft can also be spelled Krafft, Kraft, Kraff, Kratz, Kratzt, Kratzte, Kreut, Kraut, Krait, Kraeft, Kraeftte, Kraffte, and Krafftte. It can be found in various countries, often with slightly different spellings. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found as Kraft, while in Canada, it is generally found as Krafft. In addition, many different variant spellings, such as Kreut and Krait, are also found in various countries.

The most common surnames that are related to or derived from Kraefft include Krüger, Krogmann, Kratz, Krögermann, Kräuter, and Krainer. It is also related to several other surnames that start with the letter K, such as Kreibohm, Kreitz, Kreitzer, Kreiss, and Kreittner.

In conclusion, the surname Kraefft has multiple spellings and variants, all of which can be traced back to a single German origin. It has also spread to many other countries, often with slightly different spellings. In addition, this surname is also related to several other surnames that start with the letter K.

Famous people with the name Kraefft

• Jeni Kraefft: Jeni Kraefft is a television personality, show-stopper, and Instagram influencer from Australia. She is known for her vivacious personality and her stunning fashion sense.
• Louis Auguste Kraefft: Louis Auguste Kraefft was a Swiss artist born in 1762. He painted both landscapes and portraits, with his most famous works including “The Town Hall in Zurich” and “Portrait of a Girl”.
• Nicolas Kraefft: Nicolas Kraefft was a mid-eighteenth century French engraver whose prints often featured religious imagery. He is well known for his series of engravings about Jesus and Mary, which is displayed in The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Adolfo Kraefft: Adolfo Kraefft was a Chilean painter of the late nineteenth century. He was renowned for his artwork, which featured landscapes and historical scenes. His works are featured in the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts.
• Donna Kraefft: Donna Kraefft is a scientist who was born in 1948. She is a Professor at the University of Minnesota and is a leading researcher in the field of animal behaviour. Her research focuses on neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory in dogs.
• Johann Baptist Kraefft: Johann Baptist Kraefft was an Austrian painter from the mid-18th century. He is best known for his portraits of the elite of the time and religious artworks. He was very successful in France and England as his works were highly sought after.
• Antoni Kraefft: Antoni Kraefft was a Polish composer of chamber music in the early 20th century. He was known for his skill in writing small-scale works for chamber instruments, as well as for his ability to convey emotion through his music.
• Václav Kraefft: Václav Kraefft was a Czech-Moravian painter who lived in the late 19th century. He painted mainly symbolism-inspired landscapes and still lives. His work was inspired by nature and often featured whimsical, dreamlike elements.

Other surnames

Kraeft