Surname Großklas - Meaning and Origin
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Großklas: What does the surname Großklas mean?
The last name Großklas is of German origin and is a combination of two words: Groß (“large, great”) and Klas (“pocket”). It is likely derived from a German occupational name, specifically for someone who was a maker of clothing pocket accessories. These accessories would have been made with dexterity and care, likely involving embroidery, chiselling, moulding, and etching, which indicates that the person who held the surname Großklas would have had superior craftmanship skills.
Throughout history, the surname Großklas has been found in various documents, such as marriage records and emigration records from the 1700s onward. It is mostly common in the former East Germany, specifically in the regions of Bautzen and Saxony. However, it has also been found spread throughout other parts of Europe (mainly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
The literal meaning of the name is perhaps the most interesting. “Großklas” literally translates to “great pocket”. It could be assumed that it had been given to someone with great craftsmanship and was a reference to his work, as he was thought of as creating something “great”. This interpretation could imply that the bearer of the name was seen as a successful and respected creator of pocket accessories, with the name as a symbol of praise.
Order DNA origin analysisGroßklas: Where does the name Großklas come from?
The last name Großklas is most commonly found today in the region of Germany that was once known as East Prussia. The region was historically German-dominated and was part of Germany until the country's defeat in World War II.
East Prussia is now a region of Poland known as Warmia-Masuria, located on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of the country. Its capital is the city of Olsztyn, and the area is primarily comprised of rural farmlands.
The Großklas name is primarily concentrated in the Warmia-Masuria region, along with the cities of Gdansk, Krynki, Olsztyn, and Szczytno. While the popular surname in East Prussia formerly peaked at about 2,800 people with the name, there are only around 500 people today bearing the Großklas name in the entire region.
The surname originates from the Germanic language, being derived from the term “kles,” which means “knot,” and the prefix “gross,” which means “big.” It therefore translates roughly to “large knot.” As to why it is considered an appropriate surname, it is unknown, although some theorize that this last name associated with a trade guild in East Prussia past.
The prevalence of the name Großklas has decreased drastically in the past few decades, but East Prussia still remains its primary home due to its longstanding association with the region’s past.
Variations of the surname Großklas
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Großklas include:
- Grossklas
- Grossklase
- Größklas
- Größklase
- Groesklas
- Groesklase
- Groosklas
- Groosklase
- Grosklas
- Grosklase
- Grosklasz
- Grossklaz
These variations of the surname Großklas have been found over generations from a variety of sources spanning the world. In Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and other Central European countries, the surname can be found in a wide variety of spellings, as well as being used in combination with the prepositions van, von, and zu.
In some cases, the form Grossklasz has also been encountered, suggesting the relocation of the family to a German speaking region.
In addition, it can be found in other languages, such as Dutch language records in which the surname is listed in the form Grootklas. It is also seen with the spelling of Grossklost, Grossklosz, Großklöstel, and Groostklasz.
The surname has also been found in other countries, including England. In this variant the surname is recorded in the modern idiom as Grossklau or Grossklaws.
The Großklas surname can also be found in many other countries, including Scotland, USA, Canada, France, and Australia. In Canada, it can be found as Größklaus, while in France the form is Grossklauss.
In the United States, it has sometimes been mistranscribed by clerks from the Germanic orthography used in traditional German and Austrian records, becoming Grossklause, Grokslaus, Grooklaus, and Grosklaus.
Thus, it can be seen that the surname Großklas has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin found around the world, especially in Central Europe and the New World.
Famous people with the name Großklas
- Maximilian Großklas: German musician and drummer of the band Mitote.
- Niklas Großklas: German ice hockey player. He currently plays for Berlin Capitals in the DEL2.
- Roberto Großklas: German footballer who last played for TSV 1860 München.
- Björn Großklas: German actor, best known for his role as Klaus Esser in the TV series Hotel Buchholz.
- Moritz Großklas: German classical violinist and conductor.
- Stephan Großklas: German classical composer and pianist.
- Monique Großklas: German television and radio presenter, best known for her show Die Diète, broadcast by Radio Eins.
- Michael Großklas: German footballer who currently plays for the German lower leagues club.
- Gilbert Großklas: German former professional footballer.
- Tim Großklas: German contemporary multidisciplinary artist known for his performances in web streams.