Krafft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Krafft is derived from the Old German word "craft," which means "strong" or "courageous." In the early Middle Ages, Krafft was a popular first name among knights because it referred to strength. In the early 14th century, a number of branches in southern Germany adopted Kraft or Craft as a family name.

Early Origins of the Krafft family

The surname Krafft was first found in Bavaria, where the family made a considerable contribution to the feudal society which shaped modern Europe. The family branched into several houses, all of which played an important role in the local political conflicts which forged the nation. In the early Middle Ages, the name was a popular first name taken on by knights. In the early 14th century, a number of branches in southern Germany developed around Kraft or Craft as a family name. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include the famous minstrel Count Kraft von Toggenburg from the Thurgau region, and Hans Kraft of Wuerzburg (c.1409).

Early History of the Krafft family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Krafft research. Another 314 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1298, 1429, 1507, 1552, 1679, 1749, 1770, 1778, 1805, 1813, 1820 and 1840 are included under the topic Early Krafft History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Krafft Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Krafft include Kraft, Krafft, Kraftt, Krafte, Kraffte, Krafter, Kraften, Kraefte, Kraeft, Kreft, Krefte, Craft, Crafft, Crafte, Craffte, Craeft and many more.

Early Notables of the Krafft family

Prominent among members of the name Krafft in this period include

Adam Krafft (Kraft) (1429-1507), who was a famous Nuremberg sculptor...
Baron Richard von Krafft-Ebing, born in 1840 in Mannheim, was a professor of psychiatry and wrote a widely known Guide to Psychopathy...

Krafft migration to the United States +

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Krafft surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Krafft Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Gerlach Krafft, who landed in New York in 1709-1710 1
Andreas Krafft, who landed in Philadelphia in 1728
Andries Krafft, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1728 1
Fredrk Krafft, aged 21, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 1
Johan Friederich Krafft, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Krafft Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Krafft, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1818 1
George Krafft, who landed in New York, NY in 1825 1
Theadore Krafft, who landed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1833 1
Theodore I Krafft, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1838 1
William Krafft, who landed in St Clair County, III in 1847 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Krafft migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Krafft Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Franz Krafft, who settled in Canada with the United Empire Loyalists in 1783

Contemporary Notables of the name Krafft (post 1700) +

Laura Krafft, American comedic writer and actress, best known for her work with Second City and as a former staff writer for The Colbert Report
Manfred Krafft (1937-2022), German football player and manager
Wolfgang Ludwig Krafft (1743-1814), German astronomer and physicist, namesake of the lunar crater Krafft
Johann Peter Krafft (1780-1856), German painter
Friedrich Krafft (1852-1923), German chemist
Heinrich Krafft, German fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe, during World War II, credited with 78 aerial victories, awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Karl Ernst Krafft (1900-1945), Swiss astrologer
Hugues Krafft (1853-1935), French photographer
Barbara Krafft (1764-1825), Austrian painter

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)