Surname Dräs - Meaning and Origin

Dräs: What does the surname Dräs mean?

The last name Dräs is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "Dres" which was a word used to describe a hole or pit in the ground. It is believed that this name was originally used as an occupational name for someone who dug such holes. It could also have been used as a nickname for a person with the quality of being very deep or serious.

The Dräs surname is most common in the areas of former German-speaking regions, such as parts of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

The Dräs surname is a patronymic one, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. As such, individuals who bear the name today can trace their surnames back to a common ancestor and share similar roots and migratory paths with their family.

Generally, Dräs families are associated with the aristocratic and religious upper class that dominated life in medieval Europe. This was partly due to the surname being connected to renowned figures such as Peter Dras, an influential monk who was born in France and is known as the “Father of Alsatian Constitution".

Given the occupational and symbolic history of the Dräs last name, those who bear it can be seen to have a connection to the soil, creativity, and perspective. This could be seen in the way of being particularly deep, serious, and involved in spiritual pursuits.

Dräs: Where does the name Dräs come from?

The last name Dräs is found in many countries today. It is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. In Germany, Dräs is a fairly uncommon name with a frequency of about 0.01%, making it the 2,715th most frequent name. In Austria, the frequency is higher at 0.015%; Dräs is the 813th most common name.

In Switzerland, the last name Dräs is more common, with a frequency of 0.11%, putting it in the 95th most common position. It is also one of the nine most common last names in Liechtenstein.

Outside of Europe, the last name Dräs can be found in the United States, where it is relatively uncommon at 0.002%. It is also found in small numbers in Canada, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. In Brazil, it is the 2,359th most common surname.

Overall, the last name Dräs is fairly uncommon, but found in a handful of countries around the world. It is most prevalent in Austria and Switzerland, followed by Germany and Liechtenstein, and also has a few occurrences in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Variations of the surname Dräs

The surname Dräs has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames records throughout Europe. These alternate spellings include Dras, Dres, Dräss, Draes, Dresz, Drasse, and Drescher. As well as forms of the surname in other languages such as Italian (Drais), Spanish (Draez) and Catalan (Drace).

In some instances, the surname Dräs may have been a nickname for someone who was seen as brave or strong, deriving from the German word “drescher” which means courageous or audacious.

The surname Dräs may also have been derived from the medieval profession of dredging or fishing. The adjective “dressel” may have been used to describe people that worked in a form of fishing called “dreshing”, which sometimes included catching freshwater fish as well.

The syllables “Dr-a-s” may have been used to form other surnames as well. These include, but are not limited to, Draese, Drasher, Drauschke, Draris, Draz, Drastik, Drazy and Drascek.

In the United States, some branches of the Dräs family have adopted Anglicised versions of the name. Examples of these names are Draes, Draas, Drais, Dress and Drace.

Overall, the surname Dräs has a long and varied history. Its many spellings and alternate surnames are evidence of its European roots.

Famous people with the name Dräs

• Amr Dräs: Amr Dräs is a famous Jordanian film director, producer, and actor. He is most renowned for two of his award-winning feature films: The Time That Remains and Theeb.
• Klaus Dräs: Klaus Dräs is a German singer and songwriter. He achieved mainstream success with his album, Stilldreams in the Dark, in 1980.
• Paul Dräs: Paul Dräs is an acclaimed German-Australian architect who has designed noted buildings throughout Germany, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
• Bert Dräs: Bert Dräs is a German professional football player who has played for several teams in Germany and England.
• Marv Dräs: Marv Dräs is a Swiss basketball player who has played professionally in Austria, Belgium, and France over the course of his career.
• Thomas Dräs: Thomas Dräs is a German actor who has had roles in several films and television shows, including Die Welle and Der Fluch der Muuhlen.
• Gerd Dräs: Gerd Dräs is a German biochemist who served as president of the German Chemical Society from 1990 to 2005.
• Robert Dräs: Robert Dräs is a German entrepreneur and founder of several companies, most notably the automobile manufacturer and racing team Dräs Motors.
• Anja Dräs: Anja Dräs is a German artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited at various galleries over the course of her career. ,
• Alexander Dräs: Alexander Dräs is a German composer and artist whose works explore various philosophies and metaphysical themes.

Other surnames

DrascherDraschnerDrasenDrason