Surname Cloos - Meaning and Origin
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Cloos: What does the surname Cloos mean?
The last name Cloos is one with German roots. The name is derived from the northern German word ‘klose’ which means ‘key’. Therefore, it is likely the surname originated as a nickname for the key-keeper of a castle or village.
Cloos is a very rare surname; with a population of just 8,857 currently holding the name in the US. It is most prominent in the state of Pennsylvania, where a large number of German immigrants settled during the 1700s and 1800s.
The etymology of the name can offer an insight into the lives of the Cloos family. The use of a nickname as a surname showed the social standing of the family at the time, indicating they had an important role within the community. The link to keys also possibly symbolises the security the family may have provided.
The traditional assumption was that the name itself was derived from the Dutch given name ‘Klaas’. However, it is now accepted that the surname Cloos is of Germany origin, deriving from the word ‘kloz’ referring to a keeper of keys.
Overall, the surname Cloos is distinct in its origins, and reflects the lives of its German ancestors. It has significance in the division of social classes, and celebrates the important role of the keeper of keys.
Order DNA origin analysisCloos: Where does the name Cloos come from?
The last name Cloos is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. In the United States, the majority of Cloos families live in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland, and New York. Records of the Cloos surname in the United States date back to the 18th century, when many Dutch families immigrated to the United States. It is believed that these Dutch immigrants adopted the last name Cloos when they arrived in the United States.
In Germany, the last name Cloos is found in all parts of the country, with the highest concentration occurring in the states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. Records suggest that the Cloos surname was adopted by German immigrants from the Netherlands and Belgium.
In the Netherlands, the Cloos name is most common in the province of North Holland. It is likely that the Cloos family originated in this part of the country, and the surname may have been adopted by families who lived here for generations.
The Cloos surname is also found in other countries around the world, such as England, Australia, and Canada. While the surname is not as common as it once was, the Cloos family still retains a significant presence both in Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Cloos
The surname Cloos is derived from the Germanic personal name Claus, which can be written in various ways, such as Klause, Klose, Klauss, and Kluß. This name was most likely narrated from the Low German nickname ‘Klaus', which in turn is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Nicolaus. This Old Germanic name was a combination of the words ‘nig’, meaning ‘victory’, and ‘lauh’, meaning ‘people’. The surname Cloos can also be spelt as Cluss, Cloes, Cloise, Cloyce, Cloase, and Cloize.
In the United States, the states with the highest concentration of Cloos are Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, and California. In the UK, the name is recorded mainly in the counties of Lancashire, Wiltshire, Cumberland, Middlesex, and Lincolnshire.
Variations in spelling of the name Cloos include Klose, Klote, Cloto, Klothes, and Klotz. Other Germanic and European variants include Claes, Klaas, Klausen, Klassen, Klotz, Klees, and Kleist.
Variations of the surname Cloos can also be found in the form of other names like Clost, Cluess, Claus, Kuss, Klauss, and Clause. Surnames of a similar origin include Klaus, Klausen, Klis, Klase, and Kliz.
Famous people with the name Cloos
- Günther Cloos (German geologist).
- Marius Cloos (Belgian auto racing driver).
- Richard Cloos (American actor).
- Bože Cloos (Croatian scholar and historian).
- Ed Cloos (American animator).
- David Cloos (American composer).
- Peter Cloos (Danish photographer).
- Bart Cloos (Dutch painter).
- Mike Cloos (American college basketball coach).
- Bruce Cloos (American pastor and radio personality).
- Ralph Cloos (German WWI fighter pilot).
- Ernie Cloos (American football player).
- Mary Jo Cloos (American author).
- Belle Cloos (American lawyer and writer).
- Robert Cloos (American politician).