Show ContentsKrause History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Krause

What does the name Krause mean?

The origin of the proud surname Krause can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which today encompasses the Czech republic. The name is derived from the Upper German word "Kraus," meaning "curly."

Early Origins of the Krause family

The surname Krause was first found in Bohemia, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Krause family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Krause research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1655, 1671, 1710, 1719, 1737, 1756, 1781, 1787, 1792, 1806, 1816, 1832, 1855 and 1861 are included under the topic Early Krause History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Krause Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Krauss, Krausse, Kraus, Krause, Krausser, Krauser, Crauss, Crausse, Craus and many more.

Early Notables of the Krause family

More information is included under the topic Early Krause Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Krause Ranking

In the United States, the name Krause is the 1,122nd most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 1


Krause migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Krause Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Leonhard Krause, (1715-1762), who arrived in Georgia in 1736 aboard the ship "London Merchant" 2
  • Matthaeus Krause, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 2
  • Matthew Krause, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 2
  • Christiana B Krause, who landed in New York, NY in 1743 2
  • Christina B Krause, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Krause Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Leberecht Friedrich Ehregott Krause, aged 34, who arrived in America in 1838 2
  • Wilhelmine Krause, aged 25, who landed in America in 1839 2
  • Dorothea Sophia Krause, aged 56, who landed in America in 1839 2
  • Elisabeth, Johannes, Margarete, and William Krause, who settled in Baltimore in 1840
  • Hanna Luise Wilhelmine Krause, aged 33, who landed in America in 1843 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Krause Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Phillip Krause, aged 22, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 2

Krause migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Krause Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Johann Krause, aged 26, German farmer who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
  • Mrs. Albertine Krause, aged 21, German settler who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
  • Mr. Herman Krause,, German settler who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868

Krause migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Krause Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Edward Krause, (b. 1838), aged 27, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 1st January 1866 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Krause (post 1700) +

  • Jerry Krause (1936-2023), American basketball coach and director, inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022
  • Bob Krause (1945-2015), American academic, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Kansas State University from 1986 to 2009
  • Charles Krause, American sliver and bronze Olympic medalist for gymnastics at the 1904 games
  • Dr Ernst H. Krause (1913-1989), American nuclear physicist and aerospace executive
  • Charles I. Krause (1911-2002), American labor union organizer and local executive
  • Brian Jeffrey Krause (b. 1969), American actor
  • Bernie Krause (b. 1938), American musician
  • Elmer Krause, American politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Ozaukee County, 1938 4
  • Edward Krause, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1944 4
  • Douglas P. Krause, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Naperville, Illinois, 2007 4
  • ... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Heinz Krause (1921-1941), German Verwaltungsgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Fred Joseph Krause, American Seaman First Class from Minnesota, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 6


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  6. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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