Surname Kleis - Meaning and Origin
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Kleis: What does the surname Kleis mean?
The last name Kleis comes from the Greek term "kleis", which means "key". This name has been used as an occupational surname for those who were locksmiths or custodians. It is also possible that it was given to denote someone from Kleis, a Greek village near Thessaly. In some cases, Kleis may have been derived from the name of the Greek god Kleite.
The surname Kleis is found in various parts of Europe, including Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. In Germany, this name is often spelled Kley, or Kleyss. In the Netherlands, the surname is commonly pronounced 'Klee-es'.
Kleis is one of the most common surnames in Germany, with over 1.5 million people bearing the name. In the Netherlands, more than 40,000 people are recorded to have the name.
The English translation of Kleis is 'key' or ‘key holder’, and the name is often associated with locksmith, custodian or someone in a similar role. It is also sometimes associated with the Greek god Kleite, or a person from the Greek village of Kleis.
Overall, The last name Kleis is a very common name found around Europe and has various possible origins. It can signify an occupational surname for a locksmith, possibly from a derived from the Greek god Kleite or from the Greek village of Kleis.
Order DNA origin analysisKleis: Where does the name Kleis come from?
The last name Kleis is believed to have originated from the German language and has common variants in several European countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. It is also fairly common in the United States, particularly the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In the US, it is estimated that there are more than 850 individuals bearing the Kleis surname, and the total number of people with the Kleis surname in the world is currently estimated to be around 10,000.
It is unclear where and when the Kleis surname first appeared, but it is believed to have originated with the Germanic word for “Key” (Kleis), which was used to identify someone with a key to a house or vault. This choice of surname may have been adopted as a sign of status or as a reminder of an ancestor who was especially important to the family.
The Kleis surname can also be found in other Western European countries, such as The Netherlands and Belgium, with smaller pockets of individuals bearing the name in France and Italy. Outside Europe, the name also appears in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Overall, the Kleis surname has spread across the globe and is particularly common in areas that were settled by German, Austrian and Swiss immigrants, such as the US and Canada. It is likely that the name will continue to be seen in various locations around the world in the future.
Variations of the surname Kleis
The surname Kleis is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German words "kleisen" or "kleim", which mean "key" or "lock". It has been recorded in various spelling variations including Kley, Klei, Kleys, and Kleyse, among many others.
The most common variant spelling of the surname Kleis is Kley. This spelling is used especially in the sponge-fishing villages in the south of Pantelleria, a Mediterranean Island and in Switzerland. It is also found in East Prussia where it was spelled Kleyse.
In the Dutch language, the surname Kleis is manifest as Kley and Kleyen. It is a common name in the Netherlands, particularly towards the south.
In German speaking countries, most of the populations adopted the spelling Kleis. This variation can be found in Austria and Bavaria where it is spelled Kley and Kléy respectively.
In Poland it is spelled Klej and can be found in the southern part of the country, including Silesia.
In the USA, the spelling is mainly Kleyce. It is also found in Northwestern Minnesota where it is spelled Cleys.
Regardless of the spelling variation, the surname Kleis is derived from its Middle High German roots and likely refers to someone who worked as a locksmith or who lived close to a lock or key maker.
Famous people with the name Kleis
- Will Kleis: Professional stunt actor
- Jamie Kleis: Musician
- Kate Kleis: Actress
- Bridgette Kleis: Radio anchor
- Lara Kleis: Former NBC News Reporter
- Helmut Kleis: German politician, Member of the Landtag of Lower Saxony
- Michael Kleis: Actor
- Monika Kleis: German actress
- Peter Kleis: Emeritus Bishop of the Reformed Church in America
- Nathaniel Kleis: Hollywood film and television producer
- Werner Kleis: German television actor and comedian
- Jennifer Kleis: Professional golfer
- Lou Kleis: Award-winning author
- Adam Kleis: American cinematographer and music video director
- Dominic Kleis: German actor
- Jacob Kleis: American makeup artist and visual effects specialist
- Amelia Kleis: YouTuber and content creator
- Edwin Kleis: College professor and biologist
- Joanna Kleis: American actress, writer, and producer
- Sven Kleis: Former member of the Bundestag of Germany