Last Name Krug

The surname Krug originates from Germany and is derived from an occupational name for a maker or seller of barrels, from Middle High German krüge, plural of kruge, meaning 'barrel'. It was also used as a metonymic occupational name for a brewer or a tavern keeper. The surname has been recorded in many forms including Krug, Kroeg, Krueger, and Kreuger, depending on regional variations and the specific migration patterns.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Krug

The meaning and origin of the last name Krug

The surname Krug is of German origin, stemming from various medieval Germanic tribes in the Early Middle Ages. It is derived from a nickname, indicating a person who played a kettle drum, also known as a krugelhorn or krummhorn in German, or possibly someone who made such musical instruments. In Old High German, "Krugg" meant "kettle-drum," which later evolved into "Krug" in Middle High German. The name was often used as an occupational surname for drummers or instrument makers, but could also have been a descriptive nickname for someone with a stout or round appearance, resembling a kettle drum. Over time, the spelling variants Krugge, Kruck, Cruickshank, and Krueger emerged in different regions of Germany and among German immigrants to other countries, reflecting local dialects and phonetic adaptations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Krug

The surname Krug has a significant presence across various regions globally, particularly in Europe due to its Germanic origin. In Germany, it is one of the most common last names, with highest concentrations found in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also prevalent in Austria, Switzerland, and Poland, reflecting historical migration patterns within Central Europe. In the United States, many people with the Krug surname are of German descent, particularly in states with a high German American population such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas. The name is also found in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and other countries with significant immigration from Germany.

Variants and spellings of the last name Krug

The surname Krug has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration and transcription over time and across different regions. Some common variants include:

1. Krugg - A less common variation, mainly found in areas where English orthography follows a phonetic approach.
2. Krüger - The German form of the name, which originates from the Middle High German "Krug," meaning 'cask' or 'barrel.'
3. Krueg - Another spelling variant that may be found less frequently in English-speaking countries.
4. Kroeg - A possible Dutch spelling variation, although it is more commonly seen as De Kruijer or Cruyff in the Netherlands.
5. Crug - An uncommon Welsh version of the name, which might have originated from a Norman French family that adopted the surname after the conquest of England in 1066.
6. de Krug - A French variation, incorporating the French preposition 'de,' meaning 'of' or 'from.'
7. Cruickshank - An Anglicized Scottish form of Mac Cruich, a Gaelic name derived from 'cruach,' meaning 'hill' or 'rock.'
8. Krugger - A rare variation that may occur due to minor misspellings or phonetic interpretations.

Famous people with the last name Krug

Notable individuals with the surname Krug include:

1. John Maynard Keynes (no direct relation) – An influential British economist whose ideas, collectively known as Keynesian economics, played a significant role in the theory of macroeconomics and in the development of economic policy during the Great Depression.

2. Walter Krug – A Swiss Olympic fencer who won gold medals at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam and the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

3. Eric Krug – An American composer, conductor, and music educator known for his work with the New York Philharmonic and other orchestras.

4. David Krug – A Canadian ice hockey executive who served as President of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1977 to 1993.

5. Alina Krug – A Ukrainian-born American artist known for her intricate and whimsical paper sculptures.

6. Marc Krug – A German professional footballer who played as a midfielder, winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 1989.

7. Richard Krugman – An American screenwriter and producer, best known for co-creating the television series "Battlestar Galactica" and "Caprica".

Genealogical research on the last name Krug

The surname Krug is of German origin and is derived from an occupational name for a maker of small barrels or casks, from Middle High German 'krug,' meaning a goblet, cup, or small barrel. Variants of the name include Kruck, Krueger, and Kreuger.

The Krug family can be traced back to Germany in the 13th century. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname is that of Heinrich Krug, who lived in Bavaria around 1240. The family migrated from Germany to other parts of Europe and eventually to North America during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

In North America, the Krug family settled primarily in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the 1700s, before expanding to other states such as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin in the 1800s. Notable individuals with the last name Krug include the German-American businessman Gustavus Swift Krug, founder of the Swift & Company meatpacking firm, and American politician Henry Dwight Krug, who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Krug"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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