Surname Klüs - Meaning and Origin
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Klüs: What does the surname Klüs mean?
Klüs is a German surname with a history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally derived from the Middle High German word "klüse" which was a term for a lock, latch, or hook. It is considered a topographic name, referring to someone who lived by a gate or near a field or pasture with a wooden gate that was secured with a hook.
The first practical use of the Klüs family name appears to have been in the late 13th century, when a set of brass door-knobs with the Klüs nameplate was commissioned for Bremen cathedral. Since then, the Klüs name has been widely adopted throughout Germany and other parts of central Europe including Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Bosnia.
In addition to its geographical distribution, the Klüs surname has also become an occupational surname, indicating that its original holders may have been gatekeepers or workers in the iron and metal industries. This was likely due to medieval locks and gate latches being largely made up of iron.
The Klüs name is most commonly associated with the German states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse, but it also appears in the states of Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate as well as in Austria and Czech Republic. Over time, the surname has remained largely unchanged, and is pronounced in a similar fashion in all countries where it is found.
Order DNA origin analysisKlüs: Where does the name Klüs come from?
The last name Klüs is most commonly found in Germany, as well as parts of northern and central Europe. It can also be found in countries such as Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The name was originally derived from the Middle High German term “Klüse” which translates to “I cleave.”
Klüs is an occupational surname meaning it was used to describe an occupation or trade that an individual's family was involved in. Most likely, individuals in the Klüs family had an occupation involving a cutting tool such as a scythe or knife, more likely as a blacksmith or woodworker. Many of these Klüs' lived around northern Germany, along the North Sea where these materials were used a great deal.
Klüs is also an uncommon surname used in the United States today. Only a few hundred people in the past have used it as a last name, though the exact origin of these immigrants is unknown. Interestingly enough, the last name has seen a recent surge in popularity in the Philippines, where a Klüse family from Germany has immigrated to within the past decade.
Overall, the last name Klüs is most commonly found in northern German, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and has become increasingly popular in the Philippines recently. Its occupation-based origins and German origins remain the same regardless of where the family is located today.
Variations of the surname Klüs
The surname Klüs can have several different variants and spellings, depending on country, language and also the time period. Some of the more common variants and spellings are: Kloos, Kluus, Klues, Kluse, Klusse, Kluss, Klooss, Clüs, Glüs, Glus, Gluss, Gluse and Glues.
In German, the surname Klüs is derived from the middle-high German word “klüsen”, which refers to a place covered with bushes or shrubs. Over time, the surname has been slowly shortened and simplified in many different ways. This is why there are many spellings and variations available for the surname Klüs.
In English, the surname in its original form can at times, be written as Kluce, Cloks, Klase, Gluse or Glusa. Other spellings may also appear depending on the region where the surname is located, such as Klaas, Klos, Kleece, Kleese, Kleuson or Klys.
The surnames having similar origins are, Kloetz, Gloetz, Glotz and Kloetzel, all of which are derived from the German word, “klüsen”. However, it should be noted that the spelling of the different surnames may vary slightly depending on the language and region.
Lastly, it should be noted that the surname Klüs is most often found in the countries of Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark, amongst others.
Famous people with the name Klüs
- Rosalie Klüs: a German professional cyclist
- Ondřej Klüs: a Czech hockey player
- Marie Klüs: a British musician and artist
- Frank Klüs: a German film actor
- August Klüs: a French surrealist
- Ludwig Klüs: a German politician
- Karin Klüs-Grosz: a German Olympic sprinter
- Amit Klüs: an Israeli film director
- Heidi Klüs-Bosch: a Swiss author and painter
- Gerd Klüs: an American music producer and composer and orchestrator