Contents [hide]

Kraus History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Kraus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

Etymology of Kraus

What does the name Kraus mean?

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

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
Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832), a German philosopher who was known for his pantheism

Kraus Ranking

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

Kraus migration to Canada +

Kraus Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Johanna Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
Johannes Kraus, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
Jacob Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
Clara Kraus, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757

Kraus migration to the United States +

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Kraus (post 1700) +

Peter Kraus (1941-2024), German field hockey player, member of the West German squad that won the gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich
Andreas Kraus (b. 1922), German historian who was awarded the Bavarian Verdienstorden in 1983
Dita Kraus (1929-2025), Czech-Israeli teacher, writer, and Auschwitz survivor known for being The Auschwitz Librarian
Vilhelm Botyov Kraus (1949-2020), Bulgarian politician who served as Minister of Transport
Tadeusz Kraus (1932-2018), Czech footballer for Sparta Prague and the National Team and manager of Aris Limassol
Major-General Walter Francis Kraus (1894-1977), American Chief of Staff, Army Air Force Flying Training Command (1945-1946) 4
Otabar Kraus (1909-1980), Czech-born baritone
Lili Kraus (b. 1905), Hungarian-born pianist, was the first to record all of Mozart's sonatas and perform all his concertos
Karl Kraus (1874-1936), one of the great satirists of the 20th century
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kraus family +

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 5

Sources +

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