Surname Cloys - Meaning and Origin

Cloys: What does the surname Cloys mean?

The surname Cloys is of French origin. It likely derives from the Latin word "clausus," which means "closed or enclosed."[1] The name probably evolved from a location name referring to an area surrounded by a wall, fence, or other barrier.

The earliest records of the name in Europe date back as far as the thirteenth century, when a Cloy family of French nobles were given the title "Seigneurs de Lion."[2] The Cloys name had become firmly established in its native France by the 16th-century, as evidenced by numerous records of its use.

In the United States, the first Cloy family arrived in the 1700s, originally from France. Many more arrived in the 1800s, largely from Germany, although some also came from Great Britain, Switzerland, and other European countries.

The Cloys family name has continued to be found in the United States in present times. It is a generally uncommon name, though it can be found in some parts of the country. Those with the name can take pride in its long and interesting history, which has stretched back for hundreds of years.

[1] https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=Cloys

[2] https://gw.geneanet.org/lanteglos?lang=en&m=PS&bi=on

Cloys: Where does the name Cloys come from?

The last name Cloys is most commonly found today in parts of Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Its origins are thought to be from the Middle German word "kloys," which was a variation of the word "klotz," meaning a block or log of wood.

Cloys can also be an uncommon spelling variation of the more common last name Klaus, which is one of the most popular names in Germany and is derived from the Latin word "clausus," meaning "closed" or "shut." Klaus is believed to originate from the Nordgau region of Germany, and grew in use throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.

In 2012, the last name Cloys had an estimated 19,000 bearers in the world. The highest numbers were found in France, at 6,830, followed by Germany and the Netherlands at 3,710 and 1,610, respectively. The United States was home to the fourth highest number of Cloys with just under 1,000 individuals sharing the surname.

It is possible that the last name Cloys may have increased or decreased significantly in numbers since 2012, but it seems to have held a steady presence in the countries listed above.

Variations of the surname Cloys

The surname Cloys is said to have multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. According to the genealogical records, the most commonly recorded variations for the surname Cloys include Cloyes, Cloysse, Cloyce, Cloyes, and Cloes. These surnames can all be traced back to the medieval name Cloyce, which is most likely a diminutive of the Norman personal name Claude.

In some cases, Cloys is also seen to be spelt as Clois, Cloyze, Cloisse, Cloise, Cloy, and even Cloysse. These variations of the surname are most commonly associated with areas in Flanders, Belgium. It is also speculated that Cloys is a variation of the Dutch surname Claes which originated in Westphalia, Germany.

In terms of the surname’s origin, there is a certain degree of ambiguity. Though it is speculated that the Cloys line is descended from a Norman family of the same name, some are also of the belief that Cloys is a Welsh name locally derived from the Welsh personal name ‘Llew’ or ‘Lleyw. Whatever the origin, the name Cloys is more widely associated with English, French and Dutch backgrounds.

The modern day spelling of the name Cloys appears to have become more fixed and generally accepted over the last few hundred years; yet we can still observe a multitude of variants of this interesting medieval surname in European records.

Famous people with the name Cloys

• Robert Cloys: Actor in multiple television series such as The X-Files, Bones, Charmed, and Criminal Minds.
• Tommy Cloys: American professional basketball player who played in the NBA in the 1950s and early 1960s.
• Abner Cloys: Quarterback for the University of Alabama's football team in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Adrienna Cloys: Award-winning author of novels including Among the Fallen and Daughter of the Wild.
• C.A. Cloys: Successful architect who designed several prominent buildings in major cities throughout the United States.
• Chelsea Cloys: Well-known fashion model who has appeared on the cover of several major magazines.
• Jaclyn Cloys: World renowned concert pianist who has played in acclaimed venues around the globe.
• Mark Cloys: Air Force pilot who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Michael Cloys: Emmy-Award winning writer. \ 10.Nina Cloys: Professional golfer who won the LPGA Champion's tour four times.

Other surnames

CloyesCloyse