Kruse

Meaning and origin

The last name Kruse is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "krus," meaning "curly" or "frizzy." It was a surname often given to individuals with curly hair or a distinctive curly-haired ancestor. The name Kruse likely originated as a nickname, later being adopted as a hereditary surname.

The longer story

The last name Kruse is a German occupational surname that originates from the Middle High German word "krusen," meaning "to curl" or "to crimp." The name is derived from the occupation of a "Krusenmacher," which refers to a person who made or sold items with curled or crimped edges, such as wigs, feathers, or ribbons.

The surname Kruse is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the northern regions of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

The Kruse family name has also spread beyond its German origins. It can be found among individuals of German descent in other countries, including 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.