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Last Name Krause

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What is the origin of the last name Krause?

The surname Krause is of German origin. It comes from the Old High German "krooz" meaning "cross," and was often given to someone who lived near a crossroads or who had some association with Christianity. The name can be found in numerous regions of Germany, but it is particularly common in parts of northern and central Germany such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony. It has also been brought to other countries by German immigrants over the centuries.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Krause

The surname Krause is of German origin and derives from the Middle High German word "kruos," which means "crow" or "raven." It is an occupational name for a crower, someone who calls birds, such as crows, to be caught, or a nickname for someone with a raven-like appearance. The surname Krause has been recorded in German-speaking regions since the Middle Ages and spread throughout Europe during the migration periods. Over time, it developed various spelling variations, including Kraus, Kruso, Crauss, Krasewitz, and Kroschewitz, reflecting the regional dialects and scribes' orthographic conventions of the period. Today, the surname is common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and among German-speaking populations in other countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Krause

The surname Krause is predominantly found in German-speaking regions, particularly Germany and Austria, due to its Old High German origin. It has also been carried by immigrants from these areas to various parts of the world, including North America, where it can be found in significant numbers in the United States and Canada. In addition, a substantial number of Krause descendants can be found in Australia and South Africa, as a result of German immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The surname is less common but still present in other parts of Europe, such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Poland, where it may have been adopted by families of different ethnic origins. In summary, while Krause primarily originates from German-speaking regions, it has spread globally through migration and assimilation over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Krause

The surname Krause has multiple variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Here are some examples:

1. Krause (German): This is the original and most common spelling, originating from Germany. It means "butcher" or "meat-worker."
2. Kraus (German, Czech): A shorter form of Krause, also with Germanic origins, but can be found in Czech Republic as well.
3. Crause (English): An English spelling variation that may have originated from a misinterpretation or anglicization of the original German spelling.
4. Kráľová (Slovak): A female version of Krause, derived from the Slovak language.
5. Krauze (Polish): A Polish variant, pronounced similarly but with an additional "z" at the end.
6. Kreuz (German): While not exactly a variation of Krause, it is another German surname that shares similar roots, meaning "cross."
7. Crouse (English): An English spelling that might have emerged from a misinterpretation or anglicization of Krause, although it may also be a separate surname entirely.
8. Crozier (English, Scottish): A Scottish and English surname with potential connections to the French word for 'cross' ("croix"), but more commonly associated with a type of staff carried by bishops.
9. Kruse (Danish, Norwegian): Another Scandinavian variation of Krause, pronounced similarly but with an additional "u" at the end.

Famous people with the last name Krause

Notable individuals sharing the surname Krause include:

1. John Francis Krause (1932-1988), an American NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy captain who served as the pilot on Apollo 7, the first manned mission of the Apollo program.

2. Jens Krause (born 1968), a German astrophysicist and cosmologist known for his work on the cosmic microwave background radiation and dark matter. He currently works at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching, Germany.

3. Robert Krause (1907-1986), an American politician who served as the United States Ambassador to India from 1949 until 1953. He also served as Under Secretary of State for Management under President John F. Kennedy.

4. Günther Krause (1924-2017), a German footballer who played as a defender and is considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of German football. He was a member of the West Germany national team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

5. Toni Krause (born 1963), a German actress, best known for her role as Lara-Lynn in the German television series "Unter uns" and her roles in various films by director Dominik Graf.

Genealogical research on the last name Krause

The surname Krause is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German term "krose," meaning "cabbage" or "turnip." The name was often given to children born during the planting season for these crops, reflecting the agricultural background of many early bearers. Notable individuals with the surname Krause include Johann Albrecht Krause (1689-1750), a German physician and botanist; August Heinrich Julius Krause (1803-1860), a German archaeologist and historian; and Kraus family members who immigrated to the United States in the 19th century, including the prominent Krause clan of Texas. In Germany, the Krause family is particularly concentrated in the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In the United States, the distribution is more widespread, with significant populations in Texas, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Florida.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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