Surname Krohs - Meaning and Origin
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Krohs: What does the surname Krohs mean?
The last name Krohs is an occupational German surname thought to be derived from the Middle High German word krote meaning ‘hollow’ or ‘depression’. It was likely originally used to designate someone who lived in or near a hollow, and eventually a surname was derived from it.
Krohs is not a particularly common last name. According to surname distribution data from Forebears, it is most frequently found in the United States, with a notable concentration in the state of Wisconsin. Its usage is significantly less widespread in other countries, such as Germany, where it is relatively scarce.
The earliest recorded appearance of the name is from 1400s Bavaria, when a Johann Kroth is listed in the Rosenheim archives. Later records include a Nussbaum Kroth and a couple of other individuals in German documents from the 1500s.
Variations of Krohs include Kroh, Krohh, and Kroht.
In general, the name symbolizes someone who is adventurous, determined, and strong-willed with a good sense of humor. A person with this last name is likely to be independent and enterprising with a self-reliant spirit. This person is also likely to strive for success and a secure future for his or her family.
Order DNA origin analysisKrohs: Where does the name Krohs come from?
The last name Krohs is most commonly found in Germany today. It's estimated that the Krohs surname is held by roughly 2,494 people in Germany as of 2021.
The Krohs surname originated in western and central Germany, where Krohs families were found in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony. The Krohs name is thought to be derived from a place name, which itself is derived from the Old German word "korro", meaning a ravine, or a small stream.
The Krohs name first appeared in census records in Germany as early as 1645 and became more widespread in the centuries since, with numerous Krohs families found in towns throughout the modern-day country.
Over the past centuries, the Krohs surname has also spread to other parts of the world. Records show various Krohs spelling variations having been found in areas such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Common Krohs variations found in the United States include Krauss, Krouse, Kroser, and Kraus.
Today, the Krohs surname is most common in Germany, but can also be found in various other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Krohs
Krohs is an uncommon surname derived from the Middle High German “Kröse”, meaning “cheese curd”. Although the exact origin story for the name is unknown, in the fourteenth century, the Krohs family spread from its native region in the Rhineland of Germany down into Bavaria. Throughout the centuries other spellings and variants of the name appeared.
The most common spellings and variants of the Krohs surname include Kraes, Kroes, Kraeser, Kraese, Kraesser, Kraess, Kröse, Kröser, Kruse, Krueser, Kruse, Kruses, Krouse, Krauss, Kraus, and Krausser.
Krohs is the most popular spelling of the name, but there are some other forms that may be derived from the same origin. These include the less common spellings of Kros, Kroh, Krueger, Krahs, Krah, and Kranz.
Variants and spellings of the Krohs surname may also exist outside of the original German form. For example, Kroes, Kraus and Krohse can all be seen as derivatives of the original name in Dutch, although the exact etymology is uncertain. Similarly, some versions of the surname may have been anglicized upon immigration to English-speaking countries. In this case, Krohs might be transformed into varieties such as Crofts, Crohse, or Craise. Even more surprising variants may appear, such as Crowes or Cross.
In short, there are several derivations of the Krohs surname today, so each individual with that surname could have a slightly different spelling.
Famous people with the name Krohs
- Jerry Kroh: American actor best known for his roles in Valley Girl, The Beastmaster, and the television series Highway to Heaven
- John Kroh: American professional theater actor and a founding member of the Actors’ Equity Association of Syracuse
- David Kroh: American professional football player formerly for the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers
- Paul Kroh: German actor specializing in comedic roles, best known for his role in the movie Der Untergang
- Gustav Kroh: German painter of the Dresden school of the 19th century
- Wilhelm Kroh: former German soldier and diplomat who was a key figure in East German military and security
- Karl Kroh: German attorney and editor of the publication Allemannische Monatshefte
- Andreas Kroh: German freestyle skier, competed in three Winter Olympics
- Hans Kroh: German soccer player, part of the German teams that won Gold medals in the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics
- Monica Kroh: American professional figure skater and two-time American national champion