Surname Kraiss - Meaning and Origin
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Kraiss: What does the surname Kraiss mean?
The last name Kraiss is of Germanic origin and is thought to have developed as a variant of the surname Kreis. Meaning “circle” or “ring”, the name Kraiss could be either a toponymic name indicating a location within a circular form, or a nickname for someone known for having a ring-shaped object. In some cases, the name may refer to one who lived near a circle-shaped earthwork, such as a hill fort. It may also have originally been a surname given to someone making rings from metal or wood.
The earliest records of Kraiss as a surname appear in the records of southern Germany in the 16th century. It is most common in that country today, but has spread throughout the European continent, with Kraiss name-bearers now found as far afield as the US, Canada, and Australia.
The associated coat of arms of the Kraiss family contains a shield with a green chief containing five white water lily leaves, above a navy blue shield featuring a silver eagle with its wings spread and uplifted.
Order DNA origin analysisKraiss: Where does the name Kraiss come from?
The last name Kraiss is used mainly in German-speaking countries and regions, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also seen occasionally in the United States and other European countries like France, Denmark, and Sweden.
Kraiss is an occupational surname, which means that it derived from the profession of the earliest known bearer. In this case, it likely referred to a local cooper, a skilled tradesman who made and repaired metal containers like barrels, tanks, and vats. This is reflected in the several variants of the name that developed across Europe—Kreuz, Kress, Krücke, Creus, Kras, and Riese, to name a few.
The name Kraiss and its variants have been used for hundreds of years across Europe and beyond. It is still fairly common in Germany today, where it ranks as the 496th most popular surname in the country. It is thought to be even more common in the U.S., where the 2010 census noted a total of some 16,000 people with the name.
Given its long history and wide geographical distribution, the last name Kraiss is likely to continue to spread and evolve in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Kraiss
The surname Kraiss is a Germanic name which originated as a nickname. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Krac’, meaning ‘crow’. The variants of this surname include Kraeß, Kress, Kraes, and Krac. The spelling has largely been adopted by German-speaking countries.
Kress is the most common variant of the name Kraiss, and primarily occurs among German families. It is also seen in Austria, Switzerland and the United States. Other countries with a significant presence of the Kress surname include Canada, France, and England.
Kraes is a variation of Kress, often found among Dutch families. It is widely used in the Netherlands and is present in parts of Germany and Belgium as well. The spelling is distinguished by its use of the double-s character.
Krac is a variation of Kraiss, primarily seen in Croatia and Slovenia. It is widely used in those countries, and in other parts of Europe. It is often used as an alternative to the spelling Kraiss, and is often seen in texts.
The surnames Kres, Krauss and Kraus are believed to be loosely associated with Kraiss. Kres is a spelling variation seen in Eastern Europe, primarily in Slovakia, and could be related to the variant Kraiss. Krauss is a popular name in the German-speaking world, and could be related to Kraiss. Additionally, Kraus is a spelling variation used in Germany and central Europe, and could also be related.
Famous people with the name Kraiss
- Sascha Kraiss: German-born American soccer stadium announcer
- Peter Kraiss: German Mafia lawyer
- Brad Krauss: American actor
- Christina Krauss: American model and singing sensation
- Dieter Krauss: German Olympic ice hockey team
- Gustav Krauss: German expressionist painter
- Emmy Krauss: German film actress
- Micheal Krauss: American linguist
- Wilhelm Krauss: German pathologist
- Elisabeth Krauss: Austrian Judo Olympic athlete