In all German states, except for the three city states, the primary administrative subdivision higher than a Gemeinde is the Landkreis or Kreis.

What is the meaning of Kreis?

German: nickname for a noisy person, from Middle High German kreiss, kreisch 'cry', 'noise'. German: topographic name for someone who lived by a circular feature, from Middle Low German kreis (Middle High German kreiz) 'circle'.

Is Kreiss a German name?

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): variant spelling of Kreis.