Surname Klashen - Meaning and Origin
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Klashen: What does the surname Klashen mean?
Klashen is a surname of German origin, typically associated with the region of Bavaria. The name is thought to have derived from the old German word "klazzen," which means to put a structure together or to make a building. In its present form, the name is said to mean "builder," but can also be interpreted as "skilled." It likely originated as a surname given to someone who specialized in a trade or profession related to construction.
Klashen is often found in records from the 1600s, typically as a given name, although its use as a surname dates back to at least 1620. Early records referring to the Klashen family are from villages located in and around the area of Weisseen in the state of Bavaria.
Klashen is found across Bavaria today and is also common in the United States, where the surname has been carried to by those who have migrated over the centuries. While the original meaning of the surname is not known for certain, it certainly suggests the qualities of strength and character that are often associated with those who excel in whatever profession they have chosen. While traditional interpretations often remain true throughout the ages, contemporary contexts often take on a new meaning for those bearing the surname. To the Klashen family, the name stands to represent resilience, creativity and the skill that comes with honing one's craft.
Order DNA origin analysisKlashen: Where does the name Klashen come from?
The last name Klashen is most commonly found in North and South America, and specifically in the United States and Canada. It is of Eastern European origin, with variations in spelling such as Kleshen and Kleeshen.
Klashen is likely to have originated from an area in what is now Ukraine known as Volhynia or Galicia, an area that was settled hundreds of years ago by Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe who were escaping religious persecution. This is evidenced by the fact that Klashen is primarily found in households with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
Modern day Klashen families are spread out across the U.S., and Canada, the states of New Jersey, New York, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois seeming to be the most popular areas where Klashens currently reside today.
The most famous member of the Klashen family is Paul Klashen, a Canadian-born photographer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles who is known for his candid photography and nature-inspired designs. His portfolio of work has been showcased in many art galleries around the world, including Los Angeles, New York, London and Toronto.
Klashens are also often found in the U.S. Military records, in sports, music, finance, and a variety of other fields across a range of careers.
Although not as common as some other surnames, the Klashen last name is an important part of many peoples’ family trees and can be found in many places around the world today.
Variations of the surname Klashen
The surname Klashen has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include the Klashen family name in its various forms, such as: Klasons, Klasche, Klase, Klausan, Klaschen, Kleshe, Klesh, Klim, Klism, Klismen, Klishen, Klysh, Klōs, Klosch, Kłosch, Klösch, Klöschen, Kloschke, Klöschens, Klysh, Klusie, Klussy, Klush, Klushinski, and also Klesch and Kleshelman.
Klashen is an occupational surname deriving from the German word “klaß”, meaning cast metalware, such as plates, trays, and dishes. Historically, Klashens were metal crafts-workers, often working in prestigious positions since metalware was expensive and very time-consuming to produce.
The evolution of the many variants of the Klashen surname can be traced through geographical, political, and/or linguistic changes in Europe. In some cases, the surname might have been adopted to fit into the language of a particular region or country. Additionally, there is evidence that some Klashens might have changed their surname on immigrating to another country.
Furthermore, some sources indicate that the surname evolved to include other related terms, such as those relating to metalworkers (Kliesch, Klieschen, Klieske, Klesch, Klesche). Hence, it might be worth researching these related surnames too for a more comprehensive overview of the evolution of the Klashen surname.
Famous people with the name Klashen
- Stephanie Kay Klashen: Stephanie is an American actress and has appeared in numerous films including Sweet Charity, Cocoon, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
- Gary Klashen: Gary is an American football coach and was the head coach for two separate stints in the Canadian Football League.
- Alan Klashen: Alan is an American attorney and the current managing partner of Adidas Group.
- Kenny Klashen: Kenny is a professional golfer who won the PGA Tour’s Senior Open in 1997.
- Roland Klashen: Roland is an Austrian skier who won a gold medal in the giant slalom event in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Amy Klashen: Amy is an American psychologist and psychotherapist. She is best known for her work on human emotions.
- Vince Klashen: Vince is an American singer and songwriter with several hit singles.
- Jamie Klashen: Jamie is a British actress who is best known for appearing on the television show EastEnders.
- Mel Klashen: Mel is an American entrepreneur and the founder of the iconic clothing brand American Apparel.
- Pam Klashen: Pam is a business executive who has held numerous positions at companies such as Home Depot and Deloitte.