Show ContentsKrauss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origin of the proud surname Krauss can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which today encompasses the Czech republic. The name is derived from the Upper German word "Kraus," meaning "curly."

Early Origins of the Krauss family

The surname Krauss was first found in Bohemia, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Krauss family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Krauss research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1655, 1671, 1710, 1719, 1737, 1756, 1781, 1787, 1792, 1806, 1816, 1832, 1855 and 1861 are included under the topic Early Krauss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Krauss Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Krauss, Krausse, Kraus, Krause, Krausser, Krauser, Crauss, Crausse, Craus and many more.

Early Notables of the Krauss family

During this early period, notable bearers of the name Krauss included

  • Joseph Krauss (1756-1792), a German composer and Court Kapellmeister at the court of Stockholm

Krauss Ranking

In the United States, the name Krauss is the 4,228th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. [1]


United States Krauss migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Krauss Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johann Jacob Krauss, who settled in Philadelphia in 1731
  • Wilhelm Krauss, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 [2]
  • Christiane Krauss, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 [2]
  • Hans Joerg Krauss, who landed in America in 1746 [2]
  • Joh Georg Krauss, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Krauss Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Carl Krauss, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 [2]
  • John Frederick Krauss, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1845-1846 [2]
  • Christian Krauss, aged 29, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 [2]
  • Louis Krauss, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1906 [2]
  • W Krauss, who landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1851 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Krauss Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Heinrich Otto Krauss, aged 22, who landed in Ohio in 1927 [2]
  • Jacob Krauss, who landed in Alabama in 1928 [2]
  • Joseph Krauss, who landed in Alabama in 1929 [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Krauss (post 1700) +

  • Alison Krauss (b. 1971), American bluegrass singer and musician
  • Ruth Krauss (1901-1993), American author of children's books
  • Rosalind Epstein Krauss (b. 1941), American art critic and theorist
  • Nicole Krauss (b. 1974), American novelist
  • Michael E. Krauss (b. 1934), American linguist
  • Michael Ian Krauss (b. 1951), American law professor
  • Lawrence Maxwell Krauss (b. 1954), American physicist and writer
  • Harry Krauss, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Mt. Vernon, New York, 1963 [3]
  • Fred D. Krauss, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 4th District, 2000 [3]
  • Eugene Krauss, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1972 [3]
  • ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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