Surname Kloos - Meaning and Origin
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Unpacking the Genetic Tapestry of the Kloos Surname: A Personal Journey with iGENEA DNA Test
In the quest to unearth my ancestral roots, I took an iGENEA DNA test, focusing on my surname, Kloos. Through the scientific exploration of my Y-DNA, mtDNA, and Autosomal DNA, the test unveiled disclose of history embedded in my genetics. It traced my paternal and maternal lineages back to their Germanic and Central Eastern European origins, respectively, and painted a diverse genetic tapestry across multiple regions from the cumulative contributions of my ancestors.
I. Kloos
read moreKloos: What does the surname Kloos mean?
The last name Kloos is of Dutch or German origin, and the name itself is derived from the German word for 'keys'. In ancient times, members of a family with this last name would have been responsible for maintaining the keys of a castle, a town, or other important property.
In Germany, Kloos is most commonly found in the southwestern regions of the country, particularly nearby the French border. Historically, the name was especially common in the Alsace-Lorraine region and is thought to be related to the former kingdom of Lothringen.
As many surnames, the presence of the last name Kloos can be a sign of nobility. In Holland, for example, it was the name of several patrician families who owned large pieces of land. The Dutch nobility used a system of coats of arms, and bearers of the name Kloos often featured three gold keys in their coat of arms that represented the family's crest.
Due to Dutch migration to other parts of the world, the last name Kloos is found scattered throughout the world. People from the Netherlands and Germany are found in many places in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
While it is quite possible to trace the origin of the last name back to its roots, it's a name that symbolizes something greater - strength, responsibility, and trustworthiness. In a more general, cultural sense, Kloos is a proud reminder to its bearers of their heritage and history.
Order DNA origin analysisKloos: Where does the name Kloos come from?
The last name Kloos is a Dutch surname most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland. In the United States,Kloosis slightly more rare. Today, there are a few sporadic Kloos families across the entire country, with the highest concentrations in California, Texas, the Midwest, and New York.
The first Kloos family arrived in the United States at least as early as 1883, settling in the Midwestern region and specifically Minnesota. Since then, the family has spread out to other states throughout the country. German immigrants were also known to be amongst the earliest foreign-born to use this surname, finding homes and work in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, New York, and Illinois.
Kloos is also common in Canada, with a presence in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. The highest concentration of Kloos-named families often reside in the western part of the country, especially near Lake Erie and Ontario. Australia also has a few Kloos families, concentrated in the state of South Australia.
Nowadays, there are several hundred Kloos families located throughout the world, from all corners of the globe. The diverse locations of these surname-holders are testament to the family's willingness to move and explore the world.
Variations of the surname Kloos
The surname Kloos has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Kloese, Kloess, Klooss, Kleese, Kleess, Kleess, Kloosz, and Klose.
Kloos is a Dutch patronymic surname derived from the first name Claus. This is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is composed of the elements nike, meaning “victory”, and laos, meaning “people”. Thus, Nikolaos means “victory of the people”.
Kloos can also be an occupational name for a locksmith or keymaker, derived from the German word klüsen, meaning to shut or close. Those with this occupational name would have used the same tools and methods to construct locks as those with the surname Locksmith.
Kloose is an Americanized spelling of Kloos, and is sometimes found in records from colonial times.
Kleese is another variant of the surname, which is derived from the Low German nickname Claas, meaning “farmer” or “peasant”. It is the less common variant in the United States.
Kloosz is the spelling found in some parts of German-speaking Europe, while Klose is the more common spelling found in various parts of the German-speaking world. Klose is also found as a Dutch and German Jewish surname.
In the United States, Kleese, Kloos, Kleo, Kleo, and Klose are the most commonly found spelling variants, though all of these variants and spellings ultimately trace back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kloos
- Friedrich Kloos: German author, noted for his novel Lena Christ.
- Bob Kloos: Dutch professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
- Jannah Kloos: Dutch YouTube star and entrepreneur who has gained popularity through her eponymous channel’s content.
- Mieke Kloos: Dutch television presenter and interviewer on NPO Radio 1.
- Paul Kloos: Luxembourgian association football player who represented the national team.
- Sebastian Kloos: German actor best known for his portrayal of Tobias Schaller in the German Netflix series Dark.
- Charles Kloos: Belgian architect and sculptor.
- Michel Kloos: Dutch director, writer, and producer of short films.
- Johann Kloos: German soldier and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Eugen Kloos: Austrian medalist in the Nordic combined event at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.