|
![Show Contents]() Kroft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Kroft is derived from the Old German word "craft," which means "strong" or "courageous." In the early Middle Ages, Kroft 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 Kroft familyThe surname Kroft 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 Kroft familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kroft 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 Kroft History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kroft Spelling VariationsMany 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 Kroft include Kraft, Krafft, Kraftt, Krafte, Kraffte, Krafter, Kraften, Kraefte, Kraeft, Kreft, Krefte, Craft, Crafft, Crafte, Craffte, Craeft and many more. Early Notables of the Kroft familyProminent among members of the name Kroft in this period include Adam Krafft (Kraft) (1429-1507), who was a famous Nuremberg sculptor. Some of his work is in the vestry of St. Lawrence cathedral, Nuremberg. Anton Kraft (1749-1820) was a composer and...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kroft Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Kroft migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Kroft or a variant listed above:
Kroft Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Nicholas Kroft, who arrived in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1747 1
Kroft Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Christopher Kroft, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1832 1
- John Kroft, who landed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1852 1
- Leanhard Kroft, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1894
Kroft Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Johann Kroft, aged 59, who immigrated to America from Hamburg, in 1903
- Arnold Kroft, aged 23, who landed in America from Berlin, in 1904
- Johann Kroft, aged 26, who landed in America from Oberdrassen, Hungary, in 1911
- Joseph Kroft, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States, in 1924
| Contemporary Notables of the name Kroft (post 1700) | + |
- Steve Kroft (b. 1945), American journalist and a longtime correspondent for CBS' 60 Minutes
- Willem "Wim" Frederik van der Kroft (1916-2001), Dutch bronze medalist canoeist at the 1936 Summer Olympics
- Richard Henry Kroft CM (b. 1938), former Canadian lawyer, businessman and Senator
- 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)
|
Kroft migration to the United States 
England
Germany
