Surname Krafft - Meaning and Origin

Surprising DNA Test Discoveries: Unraveling the Mystery of the Krafft Surname

Growing up with tales of reliable German roots, the journey of my iGENEA DNA test began with a combined feeling of curiosity and skepticism. The Krafft name was steeped in German heritage - or so I thought.

I. Krafft

Krafft: What does the surname Krafft mean?

The last name Krafft is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word "kraft" which means strength, power, fortitude and courage. The surname Krafft is associated with the Middle and Lower Rhineland regions of Germany and dates back to the 13th century. It became especially prominent in the areas which were part of Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In some cases, the name may also have been derived from the Middle High German word "krüft" which meant to tear apart or damage. This variation of the name is linked to individuals who were pronounced with a violent, dangerous or intimidating temper.

The surname Krafft has many variations, which occur regionally. These include: Kraff, Krafft, Kraft, Kraftt, Kraftz, Krafte, and Krafftz. It is also possible that the name originated independently in different areas, which explains why it is found in many German speaking countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Throughout its history, the surname Krafft was carried by many distinguished individuals who belonged to noble and influential families. Today, many German citizens bear the name, as well as those of German descent in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.

Krafft: Where does the name Krafft come from?

The last name Krafft is most notably associated with families that originate from central and northern Europe, particularly Germany, Holland and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Denmark, Poland and the United States.

In Germany today, the last name Krafft is most prevalent in the states of Bavaria and Hamburg. It is also found in the cities of Berlin, Munich and Essen, amongst others. In Holland, the last name is found in several provinces, including Overijssel, Gelderland, Limburg and Zeeland.

In the United Kingdom, the last name Krafft is found mainly in England and Scotland, particularly in the major cities such as London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

In the United States, Krafft is mainly found in the Midwest states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa and Indiana. States on the West Coast such as California and Washington also have sizable populations of Kraffts.

The last name Krafft is not common in many parts of the world, but can still be found in several countries and states with relatively large populations.

Variations of the surname Krafft

Krafft is a Germanic surname coming from the Middle High German word “Krafft” meaning ‘power’. The surname is most commonly spelled Krafft, however there are variants and spellings of the same origin.

Variants of the surname Krafft include Krahf, Kraft, Kraff, Kraph, and Kraphf. Spelling variations, in addition to the variants, include Krafte, Kraeft, Kraffte, Krape, and Krapef.

The surname Krafft can also be found with various regional spellings in Czech, Polish, Hungary and other Central European countries. These regional spellings include Krahfová, Kraffová, Krapf, Kráf, and Krápf.

Other surnames of the same origin include Graf, Kjraft, Kraff, Kraffert, Krafos, Krajs, Kral, Krall, Krame, Kramm, Kramp, Kramer, Krap, Krawt, Kreft, and Kraut. The variant and spelling variations for the surname Krafft have resulted in a wide range of spellings, all of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Krafft

• Anna Krafft: Anna Krafft was a Danish children's book author and illustrator. She was known primarily for her books about stories of nature and fiction.
• Johan Friedrich August Krafft: Johan Friedrich August Krafft was a Prussian painter and lithographer who trained students to paint with glowing colors. He is known for his paintings of castles, churches, landscapes, and seascapes.
• Kenny Krafft: Kenny Krafft is an American actor and producer who is best known for his career as a stuntman. Some of his stunts were featured in films such as The Matrix Reloaded and Spider-Man 2.
• Theodor Krafft: Theodor Krafft was a German physicist and astronomer who is known for his work on orbital dynamics, relativity, and meteoroid research. He also held an esteemed position as chair of Astro-Geophysics at the Technical University in Munich.
• Hermann Krafft: Hermann Krafft was an Austrian geographer and cartographer who developed theories on the location of settlements and their environments. He was a professor of geography at the University of Vienna and was known for introducing modern methods of mapmaking and surveying into the country.
• Adrienne Krafft Lauer: Adrienne Krafft Lauer is an American business executive who has held key positions in finance, accounting and operations for high profile corporations such as Xerox, PepsiCo, and Citigroup.
• Artur Krafft: Artur Krafft was a Polish-born American painter and stained glass artist whose primary theme was religious art. He pursued painting as a career and since 1976 has been the president of Artistic Stained Glass and Decorative Arts in California.

Other surnames

KraffczykKrafferdtKraffertKraffordKraffzickKraffzik