Kraus

Meaning and origin

The last name Kraus is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "kraus" which means "curly" or "frizzy." It is likely that the name was initially used as a nickname for someone with curly or unruly hair. Over time, it developed into a hereditary surname, passed down from generation to generation. The name Kraus can be found predominantly in German-speaking regions, and variations of the name exist in other languages as well.

The longer story

The last name Kraus has its roots in Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German word "krus," which means "curly." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname either had curly hair or lived in an area where curly hair was common.

The surname Kraus is predominantly found in Germany, with a concentration in the Bavarian region. It is not as common in other parts of the world, although there are some individuals with this surname in the United States and other countries with German-speaking populations.

Historical records indicate that the Kraus family has a long-standing presence in Germany. The surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages, and there are records of individuals bearing the name as early as the 13th century.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.