Surname Kreys - Meaning and Origin
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Kreys: What does the surname Kreys mean?
The last name Kreys is a German surname, which often has variations in pronunciation and spelling, such as Kreiss, Kress, Kries, or Kriess. The name likely originates from the middle German word 'krieiss', which means 'berry', and aptly describes someone who was a seller of berries. This could therefore be a nickname for someone in the food or farming trade.
The root of the name is also connected to an Old High German word 'krip', which means 'edge' or 'boundary'. This implies that the original bearer of the name was someone living near a boundary, such as a town or castle wall.
The original coat of arms for the Kreys surname features three red berries enclosed within a silver laurel-wreath on a blue shield, a symbol of fulfilment, victory, and accomplishment. As a result, the last name has strong connections to the fields of farming, agriculture, and food production.
Today, the Kreys surname remains a popular German name, symbolizing a sense of hard work, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride. Despite its popularity in Germany, the name can also be found across the globe, particularly in the United States, as more people migrate to other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisKreys: Where does the name Kreys come from?
The last name Kreys is primarily found in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in some other European countries, such as the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Outside Europe, Kreys is mainly found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It likely spread to these countries from German-speaking emigrants who came during the 19th and 20th centuries in search of new opportunities.
The exact origin and meaning of the name Kreys is unknown, though it is likely derived from the Middle High German term ‘kreisen’, which means ‘to turn around’ or ‘to circle’. Individuals with the last name Kreys can trace their ancestry back to Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Today, the surname Kreys is relatively uncommon. In Germany, Kreys is still present in some areas, especially in the north and middle of the country. The name is also still found in other European countries, in the Netherlands, Scandinavia and some eastern countries such as Poland. The name is also found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and New York, and is also present in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Kreys
Kreys is an uncommon surname, and there are not too many known variants, spellings or surnames of the same origin. However, some different versions do exist.
The first is Kreyss, which is a German spelling of the same name. It appears to be a fairly recent variation, and is primarily used in Germany and its surrounding areas, as well as in Austria.
Kriez is another version of the same name, and is the Slovenian spelling. It is quite similar to the original, and may have derived from the same source.
Krez could also be a variation of the name. It appears to be more prominently used in Italy than anywhere else.
Kreiez is another spelling, and appears to be used mainly in the Netherlands. It is very similar to the aforementioned spellings.
Krey is possibly another form of the same name. It appears to have originated from the Germanic region, and may have been derived from the same root.
Finally, Krēs is the Latvian spelling for the same name. This is another fairly uncommon version, and is mainly used in Latvia and its surrounding countries.
The aforementioned variations of the name Kreys are not especially common, nor are there known examples of surnames of the same origin. It is possible that this surname may have derived from multiple sources, but the exact origin of the name remains unclear.
Famous people with the name Kreys
- Gary Krey: Gary Krey is the President and CEO of the International Council of Shopping Centers and serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the National Retail Federation.
- Mark Krey: Mark Krey is an American politician who served as mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin from 2006 to 2018.
- Tom Krey: Tom Krey is the former president of Pointer Brand Protection, an award-winning brand protection firm, specialising in anti-counterfeiting, anti-piracy and trademark protection initiatives.
- Eric Krey: Eric Krey is an American composer best known for his collaboration with renowned filmmakers such as David Lynch and Chuck Palahniuk.
- Steven Krey: Steven Krey is an American photographer and documentary filmmaker who has worked on projects such as Haiti: Spirits Rising and Searching for Bobby Fischer.
- Brian Krey: Brian Krey is a professor emeritus of community health sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
- Raymond Krey: Raymond Krey is a professor and former chair of the Department of Psychology at Texas A&M University.
- Dieter Krey: Dieter Krey is a German mathematician and author.
- Adam Kreys: Adam Kreys is an Austrian-American entrepreneur and film producer who previously worked with major film companies such as 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate.