Krause
What is the origin of the last name Krause?
Meaning and origin
The surname Krause is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "kruse," meaning "curly" or "frizzy," which eventually evolved into the Low German "krus." It was originally bestowed as a nickname for someone with curly or wavy hair. The name Krause is quite common, especially in Germany, and has spread to other German-speaking regions and communities over time.
The longer story
It is derived from the Middle High German word "krūs" or "krōs," which means "curly" or "curled." This indicates that the name originated as a nickname for someone with curly hair or a curly beard.
The surname Krause can also be of Jewish origin, with variants such as Krojz, Kraus, and Krausz. In this context, the name is derived from the Hebrew given name "Yitzhak," meaning "he will laugh." It is often associated with the biblical figure Isaac.
In Germany, the surname Krause is most commonly found in the northern regions, specifically in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt. The name has spread beyond Germany, particularly to countries with significant German immigrant populations, such as the United States.
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.
Similar spellings
#1,009
Krause was the 1,009th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 34,722 people, about 12 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Krause
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Krause is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.