Surname Clawsing - Meaning and Origin
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Clawsing: What does the surname Clawsing mean?
The last name Clawsing is a variation of the English surname Clawson. The clan originates from Lancashire in the northwest of England and is believed to be Norman in origin. The Root of Clawsing likely comes from the O.E. (Old English) word claw which is a claw or talon of a bird. The base of the word is claw(u) which is derived from the Indo-European root word *klau which means “to scrape, scratch, or tear off”.
The surname Clawson/Clawsing was first documented in the 1100s in northern England, and its bearers spread south and east towards the rest of England and then beyond to Scotland, Ireland, and the English colonies in the Americas. The English historian, Goffridus le Clerc, made the claim in the 12th century that the Clawson/Clawsing Last Name was established in the region of Lancashire.
Overall, the last name Clawsing is a descriptive surname that conjures images of a powerful hunter or skilled artisan. As a result, it has been suggested that the first uses of this surname were to denote strength or craftmanship. Originally, the Clawsing clan had a simple existence as farmers before branching out to serve in the English military or to become artisans or craftsmen. As such, the surname has evolved to encompass both prestigious status and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisClawsing: Where does the name Clawsing come from?
The surname Clawsing is relatively uncommon today, and can be predominantly found in North America; primarily in the United States. In the United States, the most populous states to have high concentrations of Clawsing families are Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and Illinois. Pennsylvania is the state with the highest concentration of the Clawsing name.
Clawsing families are also primarily of German ancestry, which is well known to be one the most dominant ethnicities in the United States. This is likely due to the large influx of German immigrants to America during the mid to late 1800’s, when the country was a prime destination for European immigrants.
In addition to the United States, some Clawsing families can also be found in Canada, primarily in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. It is likely that many of these families relocated from the United States in search of better opportunities or in order to be closer to relatives.
Interestingly enough, Clawsing families have also been found in England and France. This is likely due to the migrations of English and French nationals to America in the past, though this is difficult to prove without researching the details of individual families.
Overall, the Clawsing surname is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, Canada, England, and France. It is plausible that there are other countries that also have concentrations of Clawsing families, however these five remain the most predominant nations to have high populations of the name.
Variations of the surname Clawsing
The surname Clawsing is recorded in a wide range of spellings and variants, many of which are derived from language and dialects, as well as cultural and religious background.
The Clawsing surname is derived from the Old French ‘clause’ meaning ‘to law’. The surname has several variants, including Clause, Clauss, Clauseing, Clawsen, Clawsing, Clawsen, Clawson, Clouse, Clausson, Clawson and Clousen.
In England, the surname can also be found spelled as Clausen, Claxon, Claxton, Clauson and Clausin.
The German equivalent of the surname is Klauß and the Dutch name variation is Kleusen. Clausen is the most common spelling found in Denmark.
In the U.S., the surname is also seen spelled as Closun, Klosun, Coloson and Klawson.
Common surnames with the same origin as Clawsing are Glosen, Clutton, Claes, Glaßen, Clausin and Glaeser.
The early recorded instances of the Clawsing surname include William Clawsing, who was recorded in the 1296 Subsidy Rolls of Scotland, as well as Robert Clason, who was recorded in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of Worcester, England. A Johannes Clauson was recorded in the 1597 Subsidy Rolls of Hamburg, Germany, and Johan Clausen was a Dutch immigrant to the U.S. in 1654.
The Clawsing surname is a rare and interesting surname with many variations, spellings and related surnames. It is possible to trace the surname and its various forms back several centuries, helping to provide insight into the family’s history and interesting stories from the past.
Famous people with the name Clawsing
- Kate Clawson: American television director
- Brian Clawson: American actor
- Christy Clawson: professional softball player
- Chipper Clawson: professional baseball player
- Kurt Clawson: professional basketball player
- John Clawson: retired professional football player
- William Clawson: English Member of Parliament
- Louise Clawson: American singer/songwriter
- Guy Clawson: American writer and poet
- Diane Clawson: American country music singer