Surname Klaeß - Meaning and Origin

Klaeß: What does the surname Klaeß mean?

The surname Klaeß is an old Germanic surname believed to derive from the Middle Dutch word 'Klas', meaning 'Leader'. The origin is believed to be from the Netherlands, with the family having migrated to other parts of Germany and Scandinavia over the centuries.

In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the North West and is believed to originate from the County of Bentheim. It is also found in parts of Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The literal meaning of the name Klaeß is 'one who leads or has authority'. In the Middle Ages, the surname is thought to have belonged to someone who was an influential member of the local community, likely of a noble family or having a high rank in the government or army. They would have been responsible for leading others and having authority.

Today, the surname is still common in Germany and can be found amongst families in neighbouring countries. It is often spelled with a double 's' (Klaess) instead of a single one, although both forms are correct.

Overall, the surname Klaeß signifies someone of authority and a leader of others. This could be a literal or figurative meaning, but the history behind this surname still stands, representing someone of noble status or of a strong leader.

Klaeß: Where does the name Klaeß come from?

The last name Klaeß is mainly found in Germany, with its highest concentration in the former states of East and West Prussia. The name is thought to originate from the medieval German word for "claw" or "clasp," indicating the wearer's occupation as a metalworker or blacksmith. In modern times, the last name is also seen in Scandinavia, though with far less frequency.

In Germany, Klaeß is particularly popular in the northern region of Ostfriesland, which is bordered by the Netherlands, the North Sea, and the Weser and Ems estuary. It is also common in Brandenburg, which includes the historically Prussian cities of Potsdam and Cottbus. In addition, members of the Klaeß line can be found in Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bavaria.

The last name can also be encountered in the US, Australia, Canada, and other parts of the world, usually because of immigrants. In the 19th century, there were at least 28 Prussian-born individuals who adopted the surname while living in the United States, but the number of people of German descent with the surname living in the country is likely much larger.

Modern variants of the name include Klaes, Kleß, Klaeßen, and Kless. Over time, the spelling of the surname has changed, sometimes changing from Klaeß to Kleß and vice versa. Over time, the name has generally been simplified as it has been shared among successive generations, so most modern versions are consistent with the spelling of the original German form of the name.

Variations of the surname Klaeß

The surname Klaeß is a German occupational surname derived from the old High German word “Klaiss” meaning “locksmith” or “key maker.” This surname is also spelled with various alternate spellings, including Claess, Klatz, Klass, Klaus, Kläs, Kläss and Klas. In addition to these spellings, the surname has also been anglicized to Closs, Class, Clas and Closson.

Variant forms of the surname Klaeß include Klatt, Klotz, Kleis, Kleiss, Klose and Kloß. This surname is also found in other countries outside of Germany, including Austria and Switzerland. The Austrian variant spelled Klaes and the Swiss versions Klays and Klasen are also considered to be derived from the same root of Klaeß.

In some regions the surname is blended with other surnames, including Klaschinski, Klaßmeier, Klaßmann and Klaßner. Klashell, Klessig and Klessing are also found in some regions.

Klaeß is also the base for patronymic surnames, such as Klausen, Klässer and Klässmann. These surnames signify “son of Klaeß” when translated.

Variations in spelling of the surname Klaeß and its derivatives can be attributed to a lack of consistency regarding spelling rules in earlier times. Last name spellings often changed over the years as scribes and church officials recorded them as it sounded. Therefore, it is quite common to find multiple spellings for the same surname.

Famous people with the name Klaeß

• Betsy Klaeß: She is a German film director and producer.
• Nico Klaeß: He is a former German football player, currently working as an expert commentator.
• Michael Klaeß: He is a German documentary filmmaker, producer and director.
• Rudolf Klaeß: He was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
• Klaus Klaeß: He is a German writer, best known for his series of children’s books about the lovable gingerbread figure Bernd das Brot.
• Reinhard Klaeß: He is a German psychologist and psychotherapist.
• Margarete Klaeß: She was a German actress and playwright, best known for her work in films in the 1920s and early 1930s.
• Helmut Klaeß: He was a German film editor.
• Martin Klaeß: He is a German lawyer, a former politician for the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP) and a Member of the European Parliament.
• Ernst Klaeß: He was a German theologian and social ethicist.

Other surnames

KlaeßenKlaeßens