Surname Strauss/Strauß - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Strauss/Strauß: What does the surname Strauss/Strauß mean?
The last name Strauss (or Strauß in German) has German and Jewish origins. It is an occupational surname which indicates a person who was an embroiderer or a maker of ribbons and bows. In German, the wordStrauß means "ostrich", which could refer to the long feathers of some ostrich varieties which were used as adornments in clothing in the Middle Ages. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Middle German word strôs, which means "rope" or "strand". Strauss is also a Jewish name, derived from the Ashkenazi term shtroes, which means "circumcised".
Due to the various possible origins of the name, Strauss/Strauß is a very common surname across Europe, especially prevalent in Germany and Austria. During the 19th century, engineers named Strauss played a big role in the development of the locomotive, and composers named Strauss include the famous Austrian family of Johann Strauss I (father) and Johann Strauss II (son). The Strauss family was one of the most influential and famous composers in classical music in the 19th century.
In recent years, the name Strauss has been included in some notable people such as Herr Strauss, a character from the award-winning movie ‘The Lives of Others’. Also, former Formula One driver Nico Rosberg is son of Finnish former world champion Keke Rosberg and wife Sina Maria Pereira, a lawyer from Coblenz, Germany of the Strauss family.
Overall, the last name Strauss/Strauß is an ancient name, with many possible origins and meanings. Despite this, the name holds a strong presence in Europe and in cultural figures throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisStrauss/Strauß: Where does the name Strauss/Strauß come from?
The last name Strauss/Strauß is most common in German-speaking countries. In German-speaking Austria, the surname is particularly prominent; according to the Österreichisches Adressbuch from 1996, the name Strauss/Strauß was the 10th most common surname in Austria at the time. It is also one of the top 100 surnames in Germany, placing 75th out of a list of 500 most common surnames there.
The Strauss/Strauß surname is also present in other parts of Europe, such as in the Czech Republic, where it ranks 77th, and in Hungary, where it comes in at 105th.
The United States also has a significant population of people with the Strauss/Strauß last name. Over 9,500 individuals with that name appear in the US Census data from 2000, placing the name at 8,753rd nationwide. Many of the citizens with this name live in New York, California, and Florida.
In Australia, the Strauss/Strauß surname ranks 333rd, with over 2,000 people with the name registered in the 2016 census.
In Canada, the Strauss/Strauß surname ranks 647th, making it one of the top 1,000 family names in the country. Over 2,000 individuals with the name were recorded in the 2016 census.
Overall, the rise in popularity of this surname over the past two centuries has been largely due to immigration, specifically from German-speaking countries, to parts of Europe, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Strauss/Strauß
The surname Strauss/Strauß denotes the same origin and meaning, but the two spellings come from different countries and cultures.
Strauss (with double S) is the German spelling of the name, as opposed to Strauß (with an umlaut) as written in Austria, Switzerland and many other German-speaking countries. It is alternatively spelled Straws and Straus in English without an umlaut. The surname originates from the Old German word "Strah" which meant path or track, indicating a connection to a manifesto or journey along the path of life.
The variations of the name found in different countries can be quite diverse yet all have a similar root. In the Nordic region, Straus or Strous can be seen, often in association with a patronymic, such as Strausdatter or Strauson. In the United States, Strus or Strauss are amongst the most common Anglo-German surnames and can be found in America as early as the 17th century.
Derived surnames such as Strausser, Strausz, Straußmann, Straussner and Straussner can be seen in some countries, along with Straussy or Strassen. In Lithuania, the surname is commonly written Struz or Struzas. In Russian, it can be Strausovich or Strausovna, while in Romania, the Strass family are recorded as early as the 16th century.
No matter how it is spelled, the surname Strauss/Strauß is derived from the Germanic Old High German and holds the same meaning of one who travels the path of life.
Famous people with the name Strauss/Strauß
- Johann Strauss (the Younger) (1825: 1899): Austrian composer, nicknamed the “Waltz King”, and known for his waltzes, polkas, and operettas.
- Josef Strauss (1827: 1870):Austrian composer, younger brother of Johann Strauss and known for his polkas and marches.
- Johann Strauss (the Elder) (1804: 1849): Austrian composer, father of Johann Strauss and Josef Strauss. He is known for writing hundred of waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music.
- Richard Strauss (1864: 1949): German composer and conductor famous for his symphonic poems, operas, and tone poems. He is also known for his innovative musical techniques and wide range of musical styles.
- Eduard Strauss (1835: 1916): Austrian composer, younger brother of Johann Strauss and Josef Strauss. He was known for his operettas, waltzes, and polkas, among other pieces.
- Hermann Strauss (1843: 1918): Austrian composer, uncle of Johann Strauss, Josef Strauss, and Eduard Strauss. He was known for his dances, operettas, and operas, among other pieces.
- Heinrich Strauss (1888: 1967): German composer and conductor known for his operas, cantatas, and ballets.
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897: 1957):Austrian-American composer, son-in-law of Arnold Schoenberg and best known for his scores for Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Johann Strauss II (the Younger) (1871: 1939): Austro-Hungarian composer and conductor, son of Johann Strauss the Younger and nephew of Josef Strauss and Eduard Strauss.
- Oscar Straus (1870: 1954):Austrian composer and conductor known for his music for operettas and musical theatre.