Straus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Straus

What does the name Straus mean?

The German state of Prussia, which reached the zenith of its power in the late 19th century, is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Straus. In the medieval era, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known in Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The colorful history of Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany, provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the Straus family.

Early Origins of the Straus family

The surname Straus was first found in the Altmark region, where the family emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. One source suggests that the earliest origin of the name was in fact the Principality of Cologne; but other chronicles suggest the true origin to be the ancient province of Altmark, later the duchy of Brunswick. From the 13th century on the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made these territories landmark contributors to the building of the nation.

Early History of the Straus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Straus research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1337, 1575, 1580, 1749, 1789, 1790, 1804, 1825, 1827, 1835, 1849, 1870, 1899 and 1916 are included under the topic Early Straus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Straus Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Straus include Strauss, Straus, Strous, Strouss, Strus, Struss, Straessle, Struessgen, Striuss, Strius and many more.

Early Notables of the Straus family

Notable figures of the time with the name Straus were

Christoph Strauss (1575-1580), who was a prominent Austrian composer at the Hapsburg court...
In the 19th century, the Strauss family formed a dynasty of musicians and composers...

Straus Ranking

In the United States, the name Straus is the 11,618^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Straus migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Straus Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Nicklas Straus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
Albright Straus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1755 2
Bernard Straus, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1762 2
Jacob Straus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 2
Philip Straus, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Straus Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nanette Straus, aged 19, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 2
Yette Straus, aged 22, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 2
Jacobus Straus, aged 58, who landed in New York, NY in 1852 2
Gus Straus, who landed in Arkansas in 1889 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Straus (post 1700) +

Diane Straus (1951-2017), American platform tennis player and magazine publisher of The American Prospect and Washington Monthly
Harry L. Straus (1896-1949), American electrical engineer, inventor of the "totalizer"
Roger Williams Straus Jr. (1917-2004), co-founder and chairman of book publishing company Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Nathan Straus (1848-1931), born in Otterberg, Germany, became a rich American merchant and philanthropist
Joyce Straus, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 2000 3
Joe Straus, American Republican politician, Member of Texas State House of Representatives 121st District; Elected 2006, 2008; Elected unopposed 2010; Elected 2012 3
Jocelyn L. Straus, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1988 3
Jesse Isidor Straus (1872-1936), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to France, 1933-36 3
Isidor Straus (1845-1912), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from New York 15th District, 1894-95 3
Isaac Lobe Straus (1871-1946), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates, 1902; Maryland State Attorney General, 1907-11; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1908 3
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Straus family +

Flight TWA 800

Ms. Carine Straus (d. 1996), from Paris, France, French passenger flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; she died in the crash 4

RMS Titanic

Isidor Straus (1845-1912), American entrepreneur, co-owner of R.H. Macy Co. he and his wife Rosalie Ida (née Blun), died on board the RMS Titanic and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 5

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html