Show ContentsKraus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origin of the proud surname Kraus 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 Kraus family

The surname Kraus 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 Kraus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kraus 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 Kraus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kraus 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 Kraus family

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

  • Johann Ulrich Kraus (1655-1719), an early German illustrator, engraver and publisher in Augsburg
  • Georg Melchior Kraus (1737-1806), who was a painter and close friend of Goethe
  • Joseph Krauss (1756-1792), a German composer and Court Kapellmeister at the court of Stockholm

Kraus Ranking

In the United States, the name Kraus is the 2,694th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kraus is ranked the 8,555th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 2


United States Kraus migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kraus Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Michael Kraus and John Georg Kraus, both of whom emigrated to America in 1709
  • Johannes Kraus, who settled in Philadelphia in 1727
  • Wilhelm Kraus, who settled in Philadelphia in 1733
  • Christoper Kraus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748 3
  • Hans Joerg Kraus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kraus Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Wolf Kraus, aged 28, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1845 3
  • Mr. Wilh. Kraus, aged 21, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Franziska"
  • Andrew Kraus, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 3
  • Arnold Kraus, aged 52, who landed in Missouri in 1848 3
  • Lorenz Kraus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1849 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kraus Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Kraus, who landed in Alabama in 1921 3

Canada Kraus migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kraus Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Clara Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Jacob Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Johanna Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Johannes Kraus, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757

Contemporary Notables of the name Kraus (post 1700) +

  • Major-General Walter Francis Kraus (1894-1977), American Chief of Staff, Army Air Force Flying Training Command (1945-1946) 4
  • Private First Class Richard Edward Kraus, American soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
  • Milton Kraus (1866-1942), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Indiana 11th District, 1917-23 5
  • Michelle Kraus, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2004 5
  • James Kraus, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 2004 5
  • Horst Kraus (b. 1930), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 2004, 2008 (alternate) 5
  • Elizabeth Kraus, American Republican politician, Elected South Dakota State Senate 33rd District 2010 5
  • Edward C. Kraus, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Chautauqua County 2nd District, 1925 5
  • Edward Kraus, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1948 5
  • Charles W. Kraus, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1964 5
  • ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Adam Kraus (1921-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 2) Walter Kraus. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Kraus/Walter_Francis/USA.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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