Surname Klaß - Meaning and Origin
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Klaß: What does the surname Klaß mean?
The surname Klaß is of German origin and was originally used as a status name for a tradesman, or one who owned a shop. The original meaning of the word Klaß is "a container or vessel", and it is thought that the surname was derived from an occupational name for a seller or manufacturer of containers. In its original form, the word is written with two syllables (Kla-ß), and is pronounced Klahs or Klass.
In modern Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the northern and central parts of the country, where it is especially concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Thuringia. It is also fairly common in the German-speaking countries of Austria and Switzerland, although it is much less common in these countries than it is in Germany.
Today, the surname is found in many variations, including Klahs, Kloss, Classen, Klasse, Klaase, and Kluss. These variations are a result of migrations of the Klaß family from Germany to other countries, and over time, the spelling has changed to comply with different languages and conventions.
The meaning of the surname is still the same, however, as in the past – a tradesman or shopkeeper. As a result, many modern descendants of Klaß families continue to work in the commercial or retail industry today.
Order DNA origin analysisKlaß: Where does the name Klaß come from?
The last name Klaß is most commonly found today in northern Germany, specifically in the northwestern region of Lower Saxony. This name is also found in some parts of adjusted immigration countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The United States has the largest concentration of Klaß, with close to 66,000 Klaß listed in the census as of 2020.
The name Klaß is a variation of the Dutch name Claas, which is a patronymic derived from the first name Nicolaas. It is also thought to have been derived from the Hebrew name Naftoli. The name is likely of Germanic origin, with an original meaning of ‘immigrants’ or ‘wanderers’.
Today, the name Klaß is still primarily found in Germany as well as many countries and colonies founded by Germanic settlers. Variations of the name can also be found in other regions, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, and the former Yugoslav states. It is also used in some parts of Spain and Portugal.
The Klaß family name has a long and varied history, beginning in the Middle Ages and Germanic culture. It has been used as both a surname and given name in multiple countries and cultures, all with different but similar spellings and pronunciations.
Variations of the surname Klaß
The surname Klaß is a German surname that may have derived from the old German word "klaβ" meaning "clay". It is usually found in the variants Klaas and Claas, and is sometimes found as Klasz or Klaus.
Klaas is the most common variant, especially in the Netherlands and Northern Germany. This is likely due to the heavy Dutch influence in German language and spelling. It is also found in the U.S., largely among immigrants from Germany.
Claas is a lesser-used variant of the surname, mainly found in southern Germany. Like Klaas, it is becoming increasingly more popular in the U.S. due to immigration.
Klasz is the least common variant of the surname. It is mainly found in east-central Europe, especially in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Klaus is another variant that is found mostly in western and central Europe, particularly among German immigrants. It is also quite common in the United States due to Germany's long history of immigration to the country.
The surname Klaß has many different spellings and variants that may be found across the world. It has likely been carried to other countries through German immigrants, leading to the development of many different spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Klaß
- Nico Klaß: Nico Klaß is a professional footballer who plays for Austrian Bundesliga side Mattersburg.
- Dieter Klaß: Dieter Klaß was a professional football player from East Germany who played in the DDR-Oberliga from the 1970s to the 1980s.
- Daniel Klaß: Daniel Klaß is a professional footballer from Germany who plays for the nas German Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
- Helmut Klaß: Helmut Klaß was a German football manager who managed teams such as Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 70s and 80s.
- Alexander Klaß: Alexander Klaß is a professional football player from Germany who currently plays for the Romanian club FCSB, previously known as Steaua București.
- Klaus Klaß: Klaus Klaß is a former German professional football player who played for clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 70s and 80s.
- Viktor Klaß: Viktor Klaß was a German cyclist who won the Olympic bronze medal in 1980 and the Olympic gold medal in 1988.
- Gustav Klaß: Gustav Klaß was a German artist who is best known for his landscapes and seascapes.
- Heino Klaß: Heino Klaß is a German singer-songwriter and musician who is best known for his work in the Schlager genre.
- Jan Klaß: Jan Klaß is a German actor and film producer best known for his roles in films such as The Soldier James Ryan and King Arthur.