Surname Krais - Meaning and Origin
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Krais: What does the surname Krais mean?
The last name Krais is a German surname meaning “basket-maker”. It is thought to have originated with someone who made and sold baskets or other related items. It is also similar to several other surnames, such as Krauss, Kraeutle, Krautle, and Krautmann, all of which are thought to have some sort of relation to the occupation of basket-making. In fact, the term “Krais” is also sometimes used to mean a basket maker or seller.
The name Krais is thought to have originated in Austria in the late Middle Ages, although some believe that it could have come from other German speaking areas, such as Switzerland. Eventually, the name spread and is now found throughout Europe, as well as other parts of the world, including the United States and Canada.
Today, the name Krais is still a popular surname in Germanic-speaking countries, and people who carry this name enjoy a wide variety of professions. There are still people who are practicing basket makers or basket vendors, although the occupation is not as common as it once was. This surname is also associated with individuals who are doctors, scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and politicians, as well as those who are involved in the entertainment industry. It is also often taken on by individuals who are interested in a particular type of basket weaving, which is often referred to as “Krais-weaving”.
Overall, the Krais surname is closely related to the occupation of basket making and was likely created in the late Middle Ages. Although the occupation is now less common, the name continues to live on through those who have taken on the surname. Today, individuals with the last name Krais are often found in many different types of professions, all of which demonstrate a strong presence of the bygone craft.
Order DNA origin analysisKrais: Where does the name Krais come from?
The last name Krais is most commonly found in Germany today. It is likely that the name originated in a German-speaking country as faamilies began taking on last names to identify themselves and distinguish from other families.
In Germany, the Krais family name is concentrated in the upper Rhineland, and is most commonly found in the coastal regions of Eilvese and Bad Segeberg. The name is also present in some parts of Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein.
Though not as common anymore, the name Krais is also found in other parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, France, and Russia. In the United States, the name can be mainly found in the Midwest and Northeast.
Outside of Europe, the name can be found in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Canada, and Mexico.
Today, the Krais surname is particularly popular amongst people of Germanic heritage. It is likely that those with the last name Krais share common ancestry and may be related to one another in some way.
Variations of the surname Krais
The surname Krais is derived from an archaic form of the old German word 'Kraut' which translates to 'cabbage'. Thus, the surname may have originated as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who cultivated this vegetable.
Krais can also be spelled as Kraes, Krauss, Kraesz, Kraeck, Craes, Kraiss, Kraus, Krauß, Krausz, Krausch, Kraacks, Kraack, Kraax, Kraecker, Kraeks, and Kraak.
Kraiss, Kraesz, and Krauss are direct variations on the Kernelled form of Krais. Of these, Kraus is the most popular. Kraess and Kraesz are both derived from the Low German form of the name, while Krauss more likely came from Middle High German. The others are likely variants or spelling alterations of one of these three core forms of the name.
A closely-related name is Kreis, which is found most often in the Southwest of Germany. It is believed to be related to Kraus and its variants. It may have originally been an alteration of Kraus, or the names may have come from separate but similar origins.
Krais, and its variants, can also refer to the families of which it is the part of, such as the Krätzporr, Krätzl (Krätzlhof), Kral, Krall, Krueck, Kreck, Kreuker, Krieckhaus, Krieck, Kriecker, Kriegle, Kriegbauer, Kriebel, Kricker, Kriechbaum, Krites, Kritser, Kren, and Kretschmar.
Finally, the name Krais or one of its variants may have been adopted in other countries, for example, the Kravtsiv name in Ukraine. Generally, they are derived from the same source and may have similar variants.
Famous people with the name Krais
- Antje Krause-Wahl: a German television presenter and author.
- Bradford Kraiss: a US-based medical doctor and yoga teacher.
- Carola Krais: a German billionaire businesswoman.
- Chris Krais: an American singer who was part of the alternative rock band Cathead.
- Karen Krais: a South African artist who works in clay, wire, wood, and paper.
- Robert Krais: an American politician, attorney, and entrepreneur who served in the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Stephen Kraisler: a Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
- Suzanne Krais-Ridian: an American organist, pianist, and composer.
- Ursula Krais: a German TV, theatre, and voice actress.
- Waltraud Krais: a German historian and linguist.