Surname Kries - Meaning and Origin
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Kries: What does the surname Kries mean?
The last name Kries is of German origin. It is a derivative of the German word "Kirche" which means church. Historically, the Kries surname was an occupational name for a clerk in a church, or someone who worked in a place of worship.
Kries is also closely related to the name Kritsch, with both names arising from the same root word. As such, there are likely to be many similarities among people who share the surname Kries.
When researching the Kries family tree, it is important to note that many modern variations of the Kries surname have developed over time, such as Kriess, Kritz, and Kritsch. It is important to explore all possible versions when tracing one's lineage.
Kries is typically found in Germany and the United States, though other countries may have their own variations of the name. In the United States, for example, the Kries surname can be found scattered across the country from California to New York and throughout the Midwest.
Overall, the Kries surname is one of many occupational titles that can be found in Germany's historical records. The Kries surname possibly signifies someone who was employed in the service of a church or place of worship. For those researching their family tree, the Kries surname may provide clues as to one's geographical and religious origins.
Order DNA origin analysisKries: Where does the name Kries come from?
The last name Kries is particularly common in Germany today. Kries is a relatively widespread German surname, derived from the German “Krist” for “Christ” or “Christian,” and is most common in the northern, central, and eastern parts of the country. Kries is among the top 150 last names in Germany and was first recorded in Bavaria and Saxony.
Other parts of the world where Kries is common include Poland, Switzerland and other German-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. Immigrants from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia brought Kries to America and the name is still particularly plentiful in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Akron and Cleveland, Ohio and Los Angeles, California.
Kries may also be common in South America, especially in Argentina. The immigrated Kries family settled in the country during the 19th century and are now found throughout the southeastern part of the country.
The Kries name may also be found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Within each of these countries, Kries is often concentrated in the same areas as those where German immigrants settled. Subsequently, Kries is particularly common in rural areas or cities and towns with large German populations.
Variations of the surname Kries
The surname Kries has several variants, spellings and surnames that are derived from the same origin. Kries is most commonly spelled using the letter K, but the spelling can also be written using a C. Variations of Kries include Kreis, Kreisz, Kriez, Kreitz, Kreig and Kriss. Additionally, the variants Kriess, Kryes, Kreyss, Krys, Krysz, and Kreys can also be found.
Kries can also be found in some cases to have been anglicized, leading to spellings such as Kreece, Kreces, Kreez, Kreice, Krice, Kreise, Kress, Cress, Cresse, and Creese. Usually this happened when family members moved to countries such as the United States, where English is the primary language.
Additionally, variations of the surname Kries can be found in a variety of European countries. In the Netherlands, it can be found in the forms Kresse, Krese, and Kres. In Germany, it can be found in the forms Krieg, Kriege, Krige, Kriz, Krize, Kreisz, and Kreis. In Poland, variations include Kruz, Krez, Krioz, Kraez, and Krez. In Russia, Kriez, Kres, Kreys, Kreis, Kress, Kriss, and Kryess are common.
Finally, some surnames that appear to be unrelated, but can be traced back to the same origin as Kries, include Krisac, Chrisac, and Krejsa. These surnames are more common in Croatian and Slovakian countries.
Overall, the surname Kries is quite versatile and can be found in many different variations and spellings throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Kries
- Blake Kries: American television actor, writer, and producer.
- Holger Kries: German professional footballer.
- James Kries: American professional golfer.
- Peter Kries: German film director and screenwriter.
- Ronald Kries: German physicist and professor.
- Vit Kries: Czech football coach and former player.
- Wilfried Kries: German theatre director and Artistic Director for the Magdeburger Theater.
- Dirk Kries: German political party leader and member of the Bundestag.
- Maximilian Kries: Austrian actor, film director, and producer.
- Martin Kries: American professor of media and communication studies, author, and media producer.