Surname Crouse - Meaning and Origin

DNA Journey: Discovering the Complexity and Adaptability within My Crouse Ancestry

Delving into my personal ancestral journey through a DNA test at iGENEA, I unearthed unexpected connections to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia within my mainly English heritage Crouse. Shifting migratory patterns and resilience inherent to the Crouse family have immensely influenced my self-understanding and personal identity, fostering a feeling of pride and respect for my lineage.

L. Crouse

Crouse: What does the surname Crouse mean?

The last name Crouse is of Germanic origin and is thought to have been derived from a personal name Krūs, which in turn can be interpreted to mean ‘curly’. The name first appears in records in 1363, when Christoffel Krūs appeared in documents in Greifswald.

In the centuries since then, the name has spread throughout Germany, and eventually to other countries. The Crouse spelling is specifically cited in documents from 1721 in Schorndorf, Germany. It is especially common in North America, with the greatest number of recorded cases in the United States.

Crouse is an occupational surname, meaning that it was once generally associated with a specific trade – in this case a maker or seller of leather goods, such as breeches, hose, etc. As an occupational name, it is both useful and descriptive, with a distinct physical image. This is one reason why the name has stuck, and spread around the world.

Today, anyone who shares the last name Crouse can expect to be a source of curiosity, a few surprised looks, and many questions. But as more people become familiar with the history of the name and its origin, they will also come to appreciate its unique qualities and its place in the history of the Germanic diaspora.

Crouse: Where does the name Crouse come from?

The last name Crouse is considered an Americanized form of the German, also known as Alsatian, name Krus, which means "curly haired." It is most common in American states where there was a strong German or French influence in the early part of the 19th century.

According to the US Census Record in 2013, the states with the highest population of people with the last name Crouse are Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. Pennsylvania, in particular, has the highest concentration, with 5.03 occurrences per 10,000 people. Virginia follows with 1.48 Crouse per 10,000 people.

The Crouse name is also found in Canada, where it has moved beyond its strong German roots, and can now be seen among French, British, and other European immigrant populations. Ontario has the highest concentration of Crouse families in Canada, followed closely by Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Quebec.

The top countries outside of North America with the highest concentrations of Crouse families are Germany, France, South Africa, and Namibia. In Germany, the highest concentration is found in the state of Brandenburg, followed by the states of Lower Saxony, Berlin, and Bavaria.

A large number of Crouse families can also be found in other parts of the world. Countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Switzerland all contain a growing population of people bearing the Crouse surname.

Variations of the surname Crouse

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Crouse include Krouse, Kroess, Kruse, Cruse, Crose, Gross, Grohse, Cruise, Kraus, Krause, Krusse, Kriess, Kreiss, Kress, Crease, Kreds, Kraut, Krauth, Krauss, Crews, Grew, Grews, Graus, Graws, Kruss, Croissant, Crosier, Currier, Grosse, Kross, Grouss, Kruger and Grohsel.

The name Crouse is derived from the Old German word “kruse” which means “curly,” therefore many of its variants and surnames originate from this root.

Krouse is the most commonly used variant of the surname Crouse and was found in records as early as 1639 in Groeningen, Netherlands. This spelling is most commonly found in the United States and Canada.

Gross is another variant of the surname Crouse that originated in medieval Germany during the time when the country was populated by large amounts of immigrants from different European countries.

Krusse and Kriess are other common variants of the surname Crouse that originated in Germany.

Cruise and Crease are variant spellings that were commonly found in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, although they are now rare.

Krause, Kraus, Krauth and Kraut are variations of the surname Crouse that are predominantly found in Central European countries such as Germany and Austria.

Kross, Grouss, Kruss and Croissant are variant spellings of the surname Crouse that have been found in countries such as Czechia, Slovakia and Serbia.

Grew, Grews, Graus and Graws are rare variant spellings of the surname Crouse that originated in England.

Crosier, Currier, Grosse and Grohsel are all variant spellings of the surname Crouse. They are most commonly found in France, Germany and Switzerland.

Famous people with the name Crouse

• Christina Crouse: An American music producer, sound designer, engineer, and composer known for her work in video games and for her own solo albums.
• David Crouse: An American film and television actor and producer best known for his work on the shows Louie and Barry.
• Henry Crouse: An American Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient who served with the 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters.
• Hugh Crouse: An American opera singer who is best known for his performances in La Bohème, Die Fledermaus, Faust, and Don Giovanni.
• Richard Crouse: A Canadian film and television critic for the TV show eTalk and author of books about Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, and John Candy.
• Emily Crouse: An American actress and writer who is best known for her work on shows such as Black-ish and Law & Order: SVU.
• Sarah Crouse: An American country singer-songwriter who has released critically acclaimed albums such as Fireworks and Cabaret.
• Kyle Crouse: A former professional hockey player who spent time in the NHL and AHL.
• Mary Crouse: An American landscape painter and professor of art at Columbia University.
• Joseph Crouse: An American comic book artist and illustrator best known for his work on series such as Star Wars and Spider-Man.

Other surnames

Crous