Surname Klauhs - Meaning and Origin

Klauhs: What does the surname Klauhs mean?

The last name Klauhs is of German origin. It is derived from the old German word “Klau” which means “claw” or “clamp”, and “hans” meaning “man” or “person”. Hence, the name Klauhs translates to “a person who works with clamps or claws”.

In the Middle Ages, these people might have been farmers who needed to use clamps and claws to dig their fields. Additionally, the name might have been derived from the German dialectal word “klauw”, which was used to describe a type of boat. This suggests that those who were called Klauhs might have originally been traders who used ships to ferry their goods.

The surname is found in several areas throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Holland, and Switzerland. It is one of the oldest surnames in existence and has been around since the 12th century. It was most likely used to distinguish individuals of the same family by indicating their profession, status, location, or other things that made them unique.

Today, the meaning of the name isn’t as important as it once was, but it still has the same origin. It is a common surname and is still found primarily among those of German descent or those who have German heritage. The name yields a sense of strength through its ability to endure over the centuries.

Klauhs: Where does the name Klauhs come from?

The last name Klauhs is most commonly found in Germany and parts of Scandinavia, particularly Sweden and Finland. It is believed that the name originally emerged in what today is known as the Netherlands, or German Netherlands, and was spread by immigrants to other European countries.

The Klauhs family name is derived from the Old German word “Kleuh”, which means “motley”, along with the suffix “-s”, likely signifying “son” or “descendant”. This was likely given to individuals who had multi-colored or varied hued clothing, and it has been in use since the 13th century.

Today, the name is most common in Germany, where records indicate over 8,000 people with the surname currently residing. Sweden has over 1,000, and Finland has more than 900 known members. There is also a small presence in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, where members of the Klauhs family have immigrated in the last few centuries.

Research does not offer many clues as to why the name has been so prevalent throughout Germany in particular. However, it stands to reason that the combination of its proximity to the Netherlands, its shared language, and its strong economy made Germany an attractive destination for former Dutch citizens including those who bore the Klauhs name.

The Klauhs family name is an example of a surname that has endured for centuries and continues to be found in multiple parts of the world today, especially Germany and Scandinavia.

Variations of the surname Klauhs

The surname Klauhs has numerous possible variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more commonly encountered variants are Klauh, Klaw, Klawh, Klauhe, Klause, Klauhs, Klauhsmann, and Klauhsen. All of these variants originate from the Germanic root words "Klaw" or "Klauh," both of which mean "claw" or "hook."

The spelling Klauh is most commonly found in German-speaking areas, while Klaw and Klawh are common Americanized variations of the name found in the United States. Klauhe is sometimes used in central German-speaking areas, while Klause typically occurs as a patronymic spelling. Klauhs is another variation of the surname that is often encountered in Germany and the Netherlands.

Klauhsmann is a variant found mainly in German-speaking areas, derived from the combination of the root words "Klaw," meaning claw or hook, and "mann," which translates roughly to "man." This combination of words could be translated as "one who is a man with a sharp claw." Klauhsen is another variant of the surname that is most often encountered in Bavarian areas of Germany.

The surnames Klauh, Klaw, Klawh, Klauhe, Klause, Klauhs, Klauhsmann, and Klauhsen all share the same Germanic root words and indicate the same ancestral origin. While these variations are often found in different languages and spelling variations, the underlying meaning remains the same—a man with a sharp claw.

Famous people with the name Klauhs

• Eric Klauhs: German professional footballer.
• Julie Anne Klauhs: American beauty pageant titleholder crowned Miss Indiana 2007.
• Gunnar Klauhs: German politician and Member of Parliament serving his third term in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Mackenzie Klauhs: American former professional child actor best known for his role as young Dee Dee McCall in the television series Hunter.
• Ric Klauhs: American entrepreneur and designer of the world’s fastest ski boat, Ocean Express.
• Jason Klauhs: American musician from Minnesota who has played guitar for the alternative rock band Backspace Unwind since 2005.
• Lucas Klauhs: German professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga
• Jürgen Klauhs: German Paralympic athlete and five-time Olympic amber medalist in biathlon and cross-country skiing.
• Alexandra Klauhs: German professional triathlete and multi Ironman champion who specializes in long-distance races.
• Jennifer Klauhs: German actress best known for her roles in the children's television series Das doppelte Lottchen and Die Leiter.

Other surnames

Klauhsner