Show ContentsKrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Krey family. Hereditary surnames began to be used in Germany during the 12th century. Krey is an occupational name for a shopkeeper or retail merchandiser. The name Krey is derived from the German word "kram," which means "tent" or "trading post."

Early Origins of the Krey family

The surname Krey was first found in Bavaria, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging medieval society. They later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Krey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Krey research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1430, 1505, 1568, 1617, 1637, 1705, 1720, 1743, 1745, 1764, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1780, 1784, 1799, 1801, 1817, 1834 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Krey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Krey Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Krey include Kramer, Kraemer, Kremer, Krammer, Kraemmer, Kraymer, Kraymmer, Cramer, Cremer, Crammer and many more.

Early Notables of the Krey family

Prominent among members of the name Krey in this period include Heinrich Kramer (c.1430-1505), German churchman and inquisitor; Ignaz Kramer, known popularly as the "Muenzmeister" (coin-master) of Kremnitz, who was ennobled in 1764 for 48 years of service in the mint and awarded the title "von Muenzburg." Daniel Cramer (Daniel Candidus) (1568-1637) was a German Lutheran theologian and writer, best remembered for his emblem book Emblemata Sacra (1617.)Cramer was a family of German musicians, of whom the head was Jacob Cramer, born at Sachau in Silesia 1705, flutist in the then celebrated band at Mannheim, where he died in 1770. Of...
Another 331 words (24 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Krey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Krey family

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Kreys to arrive in North America, and among them were: Andreas Kramer and Hans Kramer, who arrived in Germantown, Pennsylvania sometime between 1683 and 1709. They were followed by Anna Catharina Kramer and Francisca Kramer who came to Philadelphia in 1725. After them, Casper Kramer arrived in Philadelphia in 1732.


Contemporary Notables of the name Krey (post 1700) +

  • Norman L. Krey, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1936 1
  • C. L. Krey, American politician, Delegate to Montana convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933 1
  • Heinz Krey (1921-1943), German chief engineer on a U-boat in World War II, posthumous recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Solveig Krey (b. 1963), Norwegian naval officer, first female commander of a Royal Norwegian Navy vessel


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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