Surname Kress - Meaning and Origin
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K. Kress
read moreKress: What does the surname Kress mean?
Kress is a surname with German origin, derived from the Middle High German term "kresse," which means "garden cress." The last name was often given to people who grew, harvested, or sold cress – a type of herb. It is often classified as an occupational surname, referring to a person's profession or trade. Over time, Kress has seen various spellings, including Kreß, Kresse, Kreis, Kreiss, and others, owing to regional dialects and transliteration of German orthographic rules. The name Kress is spread across Germany and other countries with a significant population of German ancestry, like the United States and Brazil. Some famous people with this surname include American actors Nathan Kress and Richard Kress.
Order DNA origin analysisKress: Where does the name Kress come from?
The surname Kress is of Germanic origin and derived from the Middle High German term "kresso" or "kresse," which means "cress". It was commonly used as a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of cresses. Different variants of the Kress surnames are Kreß, Kres, Kreis, Kreys, or Kreisler, which can be additionally traced back to identical Germanic roots.
Today, the Kress name is prevalent in many parts of the world, with a significant concentration in the United States, particularly in Texas, Ohio, California, and Pennsylvania. In Europe, it is relatively common in Germany, especially in the southern regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The surname can also be found, to a lesser extent, in various countries such as France, Canada, Australia, and others due to immigration patterns over centuries. However, please note that the degree to which it is "common" can greatly vary and is dependent on relative population sizes.
Variations of the surname Kress
The surname Kress is of German origin and means 'someone who lives near a cross'. There are several variants and spellings associated with the name, due to regional dialects, immigrations, and misspellings over centuries. Some alternative spellings and variants include Kreß, Kreis, Kraus, Krebs, Kres, Kreuss, and Krauss.
Surname Kress can be Anglicized into various forms such as Cress or Criss, especially noted in instances of immigration to English-speaking countries. Some families may have also abbreviated the name to Kres or Kris.
Common related surnames include von Kress, Kressner, and Kressmann, which indicate geographical origins or professional affiliations. Von Kress, for example, would suggest nobility or property ownership.
Surname Kress may also be Jewish (Ashkenazic), being an Americanized form of the personal name Kreschel. It is crucial to note that multiple origins can lead to the development of the same surname, depending on regional/cultural contexts.
Famous people with the name Kress
- Nathan Kress: An American actor and director who gained fame for his role as Freddie Benson in the television series, "iCarly".
- Norm Kress: A retired Canadian ice hockey player who spent his career primarily in the American Hockey League (AHL).
- Herbert Von Kress: A German painter and graphic artist known for his portraiture, still life and landscapes.
- Franz Von Kress: A highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II.
- Gabriela Kress: A Chilean actress and the winner of the second season of the TVN reality show, "Tocando Las Estrellas".
- Samuel H. Kress: An American businessman and philanthropist who founded the S. H. Kress & Co. five and ten cent store chain.
- Claude Kress: A former French footballer who played as a defender for clubs like FC Nantes and Angers SCO.
- Maddison Kress: An American actress known for her role in the popular web series, "Chicken Girls".
- Linwood Kress: An American professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues during the early 20th century.
- Taylor Kress: An American singer-songwriter, and the frontman of the band "Jubal".