Surname Kreyß - Meaning and Origin

Kreyß: What does the surname Kreyß mean?

The last name Kreyß is of German origin, and has variants spelled as Kreiß, Kreiss, Kreis, and Kreys. It is thought to refer to a person who lived near a marsh or Carr, with the literal translation being ‘creek’.

The name derives from the German word ‘Kreiß’, which was used to refer to either a small stream, brook, or river in the Middle Ages, or which could also mean ‘marsh’.

It is also a nickname that could have been used to describe an individual who had traits or characteristics that was linked to such a geographical location. A 'Kreißer' could have been a person who lived near or made use of a creek, such as a fisherman or miller; or it could have described a person who had a color logo or sign of creeks on their clothes or belongings.

The Kreyß surname can be found across many regions in Germany, as well as in parts of Austria and Switzerland, but can also be found in other countries like the United States, Canada, and Brazil due to emigration from Germany.

Historically, people with the last name Kreyß have mostly worked in farming and minor agricultural work, although more recently, some of its occurrences have been in highly esteemed professions in various industries. There have also been prominent people with the name Kreyß, including German biologist Wilhelm Kreyß, and Wilhelm Kreyß (1887-1966) who was a painter, designer, architect, and art historian.

Kreyß: Where does the name Kreyß come from?

The last name Kreyß is a relatively rare name today, but it is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the areas of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. There is a very small number of Kreyß families in the United States of America, as well as a few in other European countries, such as France, Belgium, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The majority of Kreyß families in the United States are primarily of German descent, tracing their ancestry back to Germany.

In Germany, the surname Kreyß is most often found in the southwest of the country, including the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. There are fewer Kreyß families in the northern states of Germany, as well as in the eastern states, such as Prussia, Saxony and Brandenburg.

In Bavaria, the Kreyß surname is most frequently encountered in the districts of Donau-Ries, Ostallgäu, and Aichach-Friedberg. In Baden-Württemberg, the Kreyß family is found in the Heilbronn district.

Overall, the last name Kreyß is still quite a rare name in modern-day Germany, with only a few families still carrying the surname. However, it is possible to find Kreyß families scattered across Germany, as well as other European countries.

Variations of the surname Kreyß

The surname Kreyss is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word ‘krīsen’ which means ‘to turn off, turn away’. It could also be derived from related words such as ‘Kreiss’, or ‘Krēs’ meaning ‘circle’.

Variations in the spelling of the surname Kreyss include Kries, Kreis, Krais, Kraes, Kraiss, Kraish, Kreys, Kraiß, Kriess, Kreiss, Kreysh, Krayse, and Kreyzie.

In earlier German spellngs of the surname, the ß was often dropped and replaced with a double s to form Kress, Kres, Kresser, or Kreser.

In the Netherlands, the variant form Kreys is pronounced as Kreijs, and a Dutch surname Kreijssen is also found.

The surname is primarily distributed in Germany, with some families also found in Switzerland and Austria.

In North America, the surname Kreyss may have been translated to Kress, Kris, or Kriz, while in the United Kingdom, the spelling of the surname may have changed to Christie or Christianson. In other parts of Europe, the surname Kreyss may be found as Crase, Krise, and Krisse.

Variations in the pronunciation and spelling of the surname Kreyss may also have led to the development of other surnames, such as Kressman, Kreiger, Kreisewitz, and Kreier.

The surname Kreyss is found in its original form in many parts of the world, as well as in its various variants and spellings.

Famous people with the name Kreyß

• Franz Kreyß: a German footballer and coach who had an illustrious playing career, including stints for Bayern Munich and Stuttgart Kickers.
• Alexander Kreyß: a former German footballer who played for MSV Duisburg, VfL Osnabrück and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
• Mick Kreyß: a German classical saxophonist and composition teacher whose works have been performed on renowned stages and festivals.
• Heinz Kreyß: a German painter, sculptor and former professor at the Kunsthochschule Mainz.
• Frank Kreyß: a world-renowned digital cinematographer and camera operator whose credits include work for Discovery Channel, BBC and National Geographic.
• Barbara Kreyß: a German soprano opera singer who has performed on renowned stages in Europe and for various concerts.
• Veronika Kreyß: a German movie production designer, known for her work in films like Ob Schmerz and more.
• Kurt Kreyß: a German illustrator and 2500 year-old artist whose works can be seen in countless galleries.
• Rolf Kreyß: a former German ice hockey player who is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
• Michael Kreyß: a German writer who has written best-selling novels as well as plays, poetry, and a number of books.

Other surnames

KreyßelKreyßler