Surname Claßes - Meaning and Origin
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Claßes: What does the surname Claßes mean?
The last name Claßes is a Germanic surname, most commonly found in northwest Germany. It is possibly derived from the Middle High German word "klasse" which has many different meanings. It could be referring to a social rank, a type of building or structure, or a group of objects or things. It could also have been adopted from the Dutch word "klaas", which is an abbreviation of the Dutch name Nicolaas, meaning Nicholas.
The surname Claßes can also be traced to the Middle High German "klesne", meaning "small", which may have come from the Middle Low German "claes" meaning "small" or "little". This could have been used as a nickname given to a person of short stature.
The last name Claßes is thought to have been adopted in the 13th century in Germany and may have been given to families of barons or knights in the region. It has also been noted that the Claßes family were among the earliest to establish settlements in East Prussia and Pomerania in the 14th century.
Today, the name Claßes is commonly found throughout the German states of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Schleswig-Holstein, Niedersachsen, and Sachsen-Anhalt, and continues to be associated with nobility and the excellent reputation of the family.
Order DNA origin analysisClaßes: Where does the name Claßes come from?
The last name Claßes is common today primarily in Germany, where its roots are believed to extend as far back as the 14th century. The name is also found sporadically in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Austria. As for the United Kingdom, the Claßes surname can be found but is relatively rare.
In terms of numbers, Claßes is not currently a highly common name, however a certain amount of prominence can be seen by looking at the family trees of various German families. For example, the Claßes family of Schleswig-Holstein was known for having a prominent presence during the 18th century. The name is also seen in several German noble and knightly lines, such as the House of von Alfeld and the House of Bürger-Claßes.
In recent times, the Claßes surname is more likely to be associated with the reemergence of German immigrants following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The name has also become popular among modern Germans due to the fact that it translates roughly to 'class'.
Modern Claßes's can mainly be found living in countries with large German-speaking populations such as Germany and Austria, as well as the United States – where German immigrants have been arriving for centuries.
Variations of the surname Claßes
The surname Claßes originates from “Klaasser,” and is a variant of the Germanic and Low German name “Klassen.” In some cases, the surname Claßes is still spelled with two letters, “KL.”
Variant spellings of the surname Claßes include Claas, Claass, Claes, Claessen, Claasen, Klaas, Klaasen, Klas, Klass, Klasen, Klassen, Klaaser, Klasser, Klassen. These spellings are found particularly in The Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland.
Surnames with similar etymologies are often derived from the name Claßes and include Klees, Kleiss, Klise, Klis, Clise, and Klues.
In addition, surnames with similar pronunciation include Klause, Klaws, Klees, Kleiss, Klise, Cloß, Kloss, and Closs.
Other variations of Claßes are found in other languages, including the Spanish spelling Clase, the Polish spelling Klasa, the Danish spelling Klassen, and the French spelling Klass.
The surname Claßes has also evolved over time, resulting in the Anglicized surnames Class, Classen, and Klassen.
Finally, the surname Claßes has also been adopted into other countries, such as the United States, where it is commonly spelled Claes, Klause, Klause, Klass, Klauer, Kloes, Claus, Clouse, and Klas.
Famous people with the name Claßes
- Günther Claßes (Germany, 1942): Educator, Sport-Psychologist, Professor, and Nazi SS officer in World War 2.
- David Claßes (US, 1980): Musician and Producer, best known for his work in the hip-hop genre.
- Roy Claßes (US, 1920: present): Professional Baseball Player, most known for playing left field for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators.
- Martina Claßes (Germany, 1983): Professional Table Tennis Player, winner of multiple European Championships.
- Konrad Claßes (Germany, 1985): Professional Soccer Player, capped 12 times for the German National Team.
- Carl Claßes (Germany, 1795: 1878): Classical Composer, renowned for compositions such as the opera “Ariadne auf Naxos”.
- Mariana Claßes (Brazil, 1989): Fashion Designer and Stylist, known for her modern and creative approach to fashion.
- Adeline Claßes (US, c.1800: c.1880): 19th century Businesswoman and Entrepreneur, owner of multiple successful local businesses.
- Michael Claßes (Germany, 1820: 1890): Painter, most noted for his genre of portrait painting.
- Gustav Claßes (Germany, 1898: 1961): Poet and Novelist, author of notable works such as the “The Flight into the Night”.