Surname Straas - Meaning and Origin
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Straas: What does the surname Straas mean?
The last name Straas is of Dutch origin and means “street.” In Dutch, straat is the word for street. As such, Straas is likely a topographical name for someone who originally lived near a street or on a street. It may even be an occupational byname for someone who worked on, or maintained, a street or highway.
The origin of the last name can be further traced back to the Netherlands and the northwestern part of Germany. There, it is found most commonly in the province of Overijssel, where it gained in popularity after the Middle Ages. In the current day it spread to nearly every province in the country.
Outside of the Netherlands, Straas can be found in North and South America, and in Germany, France, and Sweden.
The spelling of the last name can vary depending on the country and language. For example, its spelling in German is Strasse. In Swedish it is Strass, and in French it is Fraas.
In contemporary times, the Straas surname is still in use and reference to those who have Dutch roots. It is perhaps most notably remembered as being the last name of Dutch fashion designer, Marlies Dekkers.
Order DNA origin analysisStraas: Where does the name Straas come from?
The last name Straas is most common in the Netherlands and Belgium today, where it is found most frequently in the provinces of Flanders and Limburg. Straas is derived from the Middle Dutch word ‘straet’, meaning ‘street’ or ‘road’, and may either have referred to someone who lived in such an area, or to an individual who earned their living as a road mender.
The name was likely first recorded in the early seventeenth century in the Dutch town of Breda, where a Simon Straes was registered in 1603. Over the centuries the name would spread across the Netherlands to other parts of Europe, as well as to North America.
Today, Straas is still found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Canada, and the United States, although its origin can often be traced back to Dutch immigrants of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Indeed, it could be argued that many far-flung Straas families are descended from a common ancestor, albeit a long-lost one – an original Simon Straes of Breda.
Variations of the surname Straas
The surname Straas is of German, Dutch, Southern German and Swiss-German origin and can be spelled various ways, such as Strauss, Strass, Strauß and Straußen. It is an occupational name for a “street layer”; a person who paved city streets with cobblestones.
The surname Straas is also believed to be related to an ancient word meaning “track” and is linked with the Germanic word “strasse” meaning “street”.
Related variants of the surname Strauss include Streuß, Strauser, Strausser, Streusser, Strasser, Stroß, Stubbs and Studer. Streuß, Strasser, Strauser, and Strausser are closely related surnames that originated in the Rhenish Palatinate, Bavaria, Swabia, and Rhineland.
In North America, variants of the surname such as Streuß, Strasser, Strauser, and Strausser are relatively uncommon. However, the variants Strawser, Strouss, and Strousse can still be found throughout the United States.
The European variations of Straas include Stracz, straqua, Strassner, Strasser, Strassenant, Strassenmeyer, Strassberger, Strassbauer, Strassdorff, and Strasses. There are also some minor variants: Strantz, Stranga, Stranca, and Strangua.
The Straas surname can also be found in other countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, South Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe. There are numerous variants and variations of the surname found throughout Europe, so it is likely that this surname has been adopted differently to a variety of countries.
Famous people with the name Straas
- Julia Straas: A Dutch performance artist whose career stretches over 30 years and includes a range of dancing, acting and directing roles.
- Camilla Straas: A fashion designer based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in women’s clothing.
- Soffi Straas: An Icelandic singer-songwriter who released her first album in 2013.
- Carl Philip Straas: Swedish entrepreneur and technology investor.
- Jerry Straas: A professional investor who has built up an impressive portfolio of investments in the United States stock market.
- Faith Straas: A philanthropist and social entrepreneur.
- Alistair Straas: A British actor, director, and writer, best known for his portrayal of Santa Claus in several holiday films.
- Isolde Straas: A Dutch film director and producer who has written and directed multiple television series and films, winning numerous awards for her work.
- Jerin Straas: A professional chef, restaurateur and cookbook author.
- Johan Straas: A Dutch sculptor and painter whose works are exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.