Surname Krefft - Meaning and Origin

Krefft: What does the surname Krefft mean?

The last name Krefft is of Germanic and Jewish origin. It has a variety of different spellings and can be linked to the Jewish name, Cafferty, which comes from the Germanic word “kref” meaning sloop or small boat. It was also originally a nickname for someone who was pugilistic in their demeanor and usually described as “fierce.”

The surname Krefft most likely denotes a person of Germanic descent, but could also be a sign of being of Jewish descent. The spelling of the name varies, so it can be associated with more than one origin.

Today, many people of Jewish ancestry who bear the Krefft last name are aware of its Jewish connection. The Jewish variants of the name Krefft would be Krefet, Kreft, Cafferty, and Kaffert. It is possible that some of the Krefft surname holders have adopted the spelling of Krefet to indicate their Jewish ancestry.

The presence of this surname in multiple languages, as well as its several variants, point to the migratory situations and widespread diasporic movements of Jewish communities in Europe.

One who desires to trace the origin of a Krefft farther back is likely to uncover multiple trails of immigration and emigration of Jewish families.

Krefft: Where does the name Krefft come from?

The last name Krefft is a German surname of noble origins. It is most commonly found in Germany, where records trace its usage back to the early Middle Ages. In recent centuries, it has spread to other countries with Germanic population, such as Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States. Within the United States, the last name Krefft is particularly common in states that have large communities of German-Americans, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and North Dakota.

The prevalence of the last name Krefft is slightly more regionally-focused, with higher concentrations in certain pockets of the country. For example, in Pennsylvania Dutch country—specifically southeastern Pennsylvania, western New Jersey, and northern Maryland—the Krefft name is most common. In Wisconsin, a higher-than-average number of people with the last name can be found in and around the cities of Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.

The reason for this may be partly due to the fact that the Krefft family is part of a lineage of medieval German aristocrats dating all the way back to the 12th century, which explains why the name is so well-known and widespread in its respective root country of Germany.

Since then, it has been carried to other parts of the world with migrating German populations, and to this day the family is seen worldwide as a prominent one that is steeped in a rich historical background. For anyone looking to trace their roots, the last name Krefft is likely an interesting and rewarding lead.

Variations of the surname Krefft

Krefft is a surname of Germanic origin and is derived from a pre-7th century word "kreft" meaning "cripple". The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Kräfft, Kräft, Kraft, Kreft, Krefte, Crafft, Grafft, Grefft, Greft, and Kreyft. In other parts of Europe, variant spellings include Krefth, Craaft, and Krelt.

Krefft is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the variant Krefte is more common than the original spelling of Krefft. It is mainly a surname originating in the Germanic speaking regions, and while there are some other variants in other countries, such as Krefth in the Czech Republic, they remain quite uncommon outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In the Netherlands, Crefft is the most common spelling of this surname and is most likely derived from a Dutch spelling of the Germanic name. The Dutch spelling is likely the oldest variant, but not much is known of its history.

Cref is another variant that is most commonly seen in the United States and Canada. Cref is an anglicized variation of the Germanic surname and is most likely derived from a mix of spelling variants that were brought to the US by German immigrants.

Finally, there is the surname Kreyft, which is found in many Germanic countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Kreyft is the most rare spelling of this surname, and is believed to be a direct descendant of the original Germanic spelling of Krefft.

Famous people with the name Krefft

• Karl Krefft (1816-1893): German industrialist, who founded one of Germany's oldest and largest private breweries, G.H. Krefft & Co.
• Ludwig Valentin Krefft (1812-1881): German zoologist whose main interest was in the reptiles and amphibians of Australia.
• Marlene Krefft (1937–2011): German-born American philosopher and expert in the philosophy of religion.
• Rick Krefft (1960: present): American Regent and business executive with the Denver Business Journal.
• Sons of Augustus Krefft (1817–1882): German-American brewer and a key figure in German-American relations in Milwaukee.
• Georg Heinrich Krefft (1856-1919): German geologist, mineralogist, and paleontologist who studied Austria and the Alps.
• Joseph Krefft (1780–1845): Prussian astronomer and geographer.
• Rafael Krefft (1648–1718): German-born Hungarian priest and author.
• Henry C. Krefft (1824–1890): American author and entrepreneur whose book "The Great West and the Pacific Coast" popularized the American West.
• Johann Karl Wilhelm Krefft (1833–1893): German zoologist and malacologist.

Other surnames

Kreffter