Surname Kraybill - Meaning and Origin
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Kraybill: What does the surname Kraybill mean?
The last name Kraybill is believed to be of German origin, and is thought to mean either 'the person from the crevice' or 'a person who lives on a craggy hill'. It's most commonly found in the Pennsylvania Dutch country of southeastern America.
In the Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Kraybill family is known for its strong sense of community, its appreciation of nature, and its deep Christian faith. Many Kraybills still live in Amish or Mennonite communities, and still follow traditional modes of life, as well as evangelical values. Farming and hard labour are ubiquitous, as well as the family being highly involved in the local church.
The Kraybill family also has a deep heritage of charitable giving, and supporting those within the community who are less fortunate. It's said from generation to generation, Kraybills have strived to put into practice the values of Christian generosity, compassion, and humility.
Kraybills have served as teachers, ministers, business owners, public servants, farmers, inventors, and community leaders. They have had many successful careers and have contributed much to their community, country, and the world.
Kraybills today are proud of their ancestors and honoured to carry the last name. They are committed to continuing the legacy of faith, hard work, and giving that the Kraybill family has passed down.
Order DNA origin analysisKraybill: Where does the name Kraybill come from?
The surname Kraybill is most commonly found in the United States today and is believed to have originated in Pennsylvania or Virginia. It is believed to have been derived from a Dutch settler in the 18th century or earlier, who brought the name to America.
The Kraybill surname is most concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and even as far west as California. The earliest recordings of Kraybill can be found from the 1700s, in the historic German, Swiss and Dutch colonies found within Pennsylvania.
Kraybill is also popular in other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. It’s not associated with any particular religion or ethnic background and is used by families of all backgrounds and cultures.
Today Kraybill is an easily recognized name in the United States, due to its versatility of spelling. Variations include craibil, croybill, and kraybel. It is commonly used as a surname by some of the most famous celebrities in the United States such as Mel Gibson, Kim Kardashian, and Reese Witherspoon. Some of the most successful companies that are owned and operated by people with the surname Kraybill include Kraybill Industries and Kraybill Construction.
The Kraybill name is still periodically used by new families today, and will most likely remain popular for many more years to come.
Variations of the surname Kraybill
Kraybill is a popular surname of German origin. It is most commonly spelled with the letters K-R-A-Y-B-I-L-L, but there are several variants and spellings, as well as other surnames of the same origin in existence. Variations include Kraebeil, Kraebyl, Krajbill, and Kraybyll. These all have similar pronunciations.
Other surnames of the same origin, essentially meaning “creative and active spirit,” are Kräbel, Krabel, Kroll, Crabbill, Kraebel, Kraible, Krable, and Krebil, just to name a few.
For people of Sephardic Jewish origin, the name Kraybill is often spelled as Kraybil or Crebillo. In some cases, the S and Z are interchangeable, so Krazbill is also seen as an alternate spelling.
Additionally, there is another spelling of the name, Krābīll, which is derived from the Middle High German Krabill, meaning “a Christian” or “people from the Germanic tribe of Saxon”.
The name Kraybill is a patronymic surname, meaning it is a name derived from the name of the father’s father. It originated in the Middle High German and Old German language and was most likely used to differentiate people with the same given name.
These days, it can be found in various parts of the world, especially in the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other countries.
Famous people with the name Kraybill
- Karen M. Kraybill: Author, professor, and social justice activist.
- David Kraybill: Author, historian, and professor of Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Messiah College in Pennsylvania.
- Paul Kraybill: Former President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation.
- Lisa Kraybill: Humanitarian aid worker and National Park Service ranger.
- Robert Kraybill: Pastor and leader of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference in Pennsylvania.
- Donald Kraybill: Author and professor of Sociology at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.
- Steve Kraybill: Marriage and family therapist and professor of family studies at Clarion University in Pennsylvania.
- John Kraybill: Professor at Lancaster Bible College and author of several books on the Anabaptist movement.
- Jeff Kraybill: Senior pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Missouri.
- Cathy Kraybill: Executive director of CARE International in Costa Rica.