Surname Claaßens - Meaning and Origin

Claaßens: What does the surname Claaßens mean?

The last name Claaßens is of Dutch and German origin. It is a habitational name derived from the places called Klassen in Germany, or from Claesen, a dialectal variant of the personal name Nicolas. In Dutch, Claes or Claesen is the diminutive form of the name Nikolaas/Nicolaas, and the name means “son of Claes/Nicolaas”.

The name Claaßen is also found in the North and South Holland provinces, in the form of Klassen. There it is likely that the name is a metonymic occupational name for a locksmith or somebody who built locks and keys, derived from the Middle Dutch klas, meaning a “lock, bolt, latch”.

The Claaßens family can trace its ancestry to several areas of modern day Germany and Holland, as the last name has been carried through many generations of individuals. Claaßens families have grown and spread throughout the Netherlands and the surrounding parts of Germany, and they can be found in other countries, as well.

Claaßens is a name that is deeply rooted in Dutch and German culture and heritage. It comes with a long and proud history, and it signifies that the family can trace their ancestry back to the same places. For generations, the Claaßens family has passed on the name, providing a sense of connection for each generation of the family.

Claaßens: Where does the name Claaßens come from?

The last name Claaßens is primarily found in areas of modern-day Germany, specifically in the Lower-Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin regions. It is also found in countries that share historical ties with Germany, like Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, and Austria. Though its prevalence is highest in Germany, Claaßens is not exclusive to this region, and can also be found in other countries like the United States, Sweden, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

The name Claaßens first appeared in Germany in the early 15th century, though its origins have not been fully determined. It is thought to have originated from Middle Low German or Middle High German and has regional variations, like Klassen or Claussen. It is also believed to be derived from one of the varieties of Middle Dutch, Klasse.

It’s possible that the Claaßens families are descended from a Wildesel, which is a term used for warriors that were assigned to a certain area. Wildesels were of noble birth and served as protectors of the area in which they lived. Those who had this surname likely went by first and middle names in addition to their last name.

Regardless of its origin, Claaßens is still a common name today in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is less common in other parts of the world, but still prevalent.

Variations of the surname Claaßens

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Claaßens can be broadly divided into three main categories:

1. International Variants: Claassens, Claessen, Claassen, Klassen, Classen, Clasen, Klaassen.

2. Germanic Variants: Klassens, Klassen, Klaasen, Klazen, Klasens, Klazens, Klaassens.

3. Dutch Variants: Klaasens, Klaassens.

The surname Claaßens originated in Germany and is derived from the pre-seventeenth century personal name Klaus, which was popular in the Middle Ages. The Dutch form “Klaas” derived from the German Klaus. The surname Claaßens also appears in the form “Claassen” in some regions. Klassen and Classen are variants of the surname Claaßens and are found mostly in regions which have strong links to German speaking countries. Clasen is another variant spelling commonly seen in German speaking countries.

The surname Claassens and Klaassens are usually used by families from Dutch-speaking regions. The spelling Klaasens is also common among Dutch-speaking people. Klazen and Klazens are rare variants of the surname Claaßens which are not as widely used as other variants.

The surname Claaßens is derived from the pre-seventeenth century personal name “Klaus” and its variants have spread throughout Europe, particularly in regions which have strong links to German and Dutch speaking countries. While certain variants of the surname are seen more commonly than others, it is important to remember that all its variants originate from the same source.

Famous people with the name Claaßens

• Viktor Claassens: German journalist and television presenter
• John Claassens: British electronic music producer
• Kraft Claassens: South African leftist lawyer and anti-apartheid activist
• Abrascha Claassens: Dutch field hockey player
• Carl Claassens: Dutch composer and conductor
• Gerrit Claassen: Dutch painter, draughtsman, lithographer, sculptor and etcher
• Wilma Claassens: Dutch lawyer, legal theorist, and human rights activist
• Helmut Claassens: Dutch bobsledder
• Lambertus Claassens: Dutch organist, cellist, composer, and conductor
• Philippa Claassens: South African environmental health lawyer and activist

Other surnames

Claaßen