Last Name Krebs

The surname "Krebs" is of Germanic origin. It comes from the Middle High German word 'kref' meaning crab, referring to a person with a distinctive facial feature that resembled a crab or perhaps someone who lived near a place where crabs were found in abundance. This name was also found among the Normans in France. Over time, it has been anglicized into various forms such as Cresbee, Crebbs, and Krebs, among others. The spelling variations reflect changes in pronunciation due to migration patterns and cultural influences over centuries.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Krebs

The surname Krebs is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Kreves," which translates to "crab" or "crayfish" in English. The name was often given to someone who lived near a body of water inhabited by crustaceans, or perhaps to someone who bore some resemblance to these creatures. As with many surnames of medieval Europe, the original bearers of the Krebs name would have taken their occupation, residence, or a personal characteristic as their last name to distinguish themselves from others in their community. The spelling variations of this name include Krebs, Kraebs, Krause, and Crayb, reflecting different phonetic pronunciations over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Krebs

The surname Krebs, of German origin and meaning "crab" in Latin, has a significant presence primarily in Germany where it ranks among the top 200 most common family names. The highest concentration can be found in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Hesse, though it is distributed throughout the country. In addition to Germany, Krebs is also prevalent in neighboring countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium due to historical reasons and migration patterns. Emigrants from these regions have carried the name to various parts of the world including North America, particularly the United States, Canada, and Brazil, as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other English-speaking nations. In some cases, the spelling may vary slightly depending on regional differences in transliteration, such as "Krebs" in German-speaking regions versus "Crebs" or "Crab" in Anglophone countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Krebs

The surname Krebs can be found with various spelling and pronunciation variants due to differences in regional dialects and transcribing practices over time. Some common variations of the name Krebs include Crebbs, Crebz, Kreebs, Kreuze, Kreuss, Krebsh, and Kraebs. In some instances, it may be spelled as Crips or Crisp with a different meaning but similar phonetic structure. Additionally, variations in the given name paired with Krebs can further alter the overall spelling of the full name. It is essential to consider these variants when conducting genealogical research, especially if one's ancestors hailed from regions with linguistically diverse populations or underwent immigration.

Famous people with the last name Krebs

Notable individuals with the surname Krebs include:

1. August Krebs (1867-1943), a German physician and professor of internal medicine who made significant contributions to the study of diabetes and metabolic disorders.
2. Gerald M. Krebs (born 1935), an American biologist who is renowned for his work on bacteriophages, particularly the T7 phage, contributing significantly to the understanding of gene regulation in bacteria.
3. Brian Krebs (born 1969), an American journalist and cybersecurity researcher known for his work on security, cybercrime, and computer hacking. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and currently runs KrebOnSecurity, a blog focusing on these topics.
4. Edward Oscar Krebs Jr. (1908-1998), an American chemist who was a key contributor to the development of isotope separation techniques during World War II and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1953 for his work on enzyme mechanisms.
5. Richard L. Krebs (born 1942), an American materials scientist, engineer, and educator who has made significant contributions to the fields of materials science, engineering mechanics, and energy systems. He is a fellow of several professional societies and has authored over 300 publications.

Genealogical research on the last name Krebs

The surname Krebs originates from Germany and is derived from the Middle High German word "kropf," meaning "hunchback." It was first recorded in the mid-13th century, with the earliest known bearer being Konrad Kropf of Thuringia. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved to Krebs as it became more common among the German population. The family expanded throughout Germany and neighboring regions during the Middle Ages, with notable branches in Saxony, Bavaria, and Prussia. Some members of the Krebs family emigrated to other parts of Europe and later to North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, establishing new settlements and contributing to their respective communities. Notable individuals with the surname Krebs include Johann Krebs, a Baroque composer, and Karl Friedrich Moellereus Krebs, a German zoologist who made significant contributions to the study of insects.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Krebs"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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