Surname Klaus - Meaning and Origin
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A Surname Unveiled - Deepening Understanding of Identity and Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test
Receiving my iGENEA DNA test results has provided a new lens through which I view my personal identity and heritage. I've realized that my surname, Klaus, is more than just a name; it symbolizes the complex web of ancestry that have contributed to who I am today.
F. Klaus
read moreKlaus: What does the surname Klaus mean?
The last name Klaus is a German and Middle High German name, derived from the Common Germanic word for “victory” which is “Klau”, or “Klaus”. It also was used as a first name in addition to it's meaning as a surname.
Klaus was known for being used as a name of meritorious knightly families in the Middle Ages. It was seen as a name of status and was used and passed down from a long line of princes, counts, knights, and other high-ranking individuals in the Holy Roman Empire.
In modern times, the surname Klaus is still popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland due to its long and rich past, with descendants of such families continuing to prosper and carry on the name. Most of the families, which still bear the name, today live in areas close to the Rhine and Palatinate, which were often connected to the original Knightly families.
The surname Klaus is still of importance in today's Germany. In 2011, Klaus Iohannis was elected the President of Romania, and Andreas Dresch, a modern physiotherapist, is also a well-known bearer of the name.
The name Klaus has been and will remain a symbol of success, nobility, and even royalty for many families in Europe for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKlaus: Where does the name Klaus come from?
Klaus is a patronymic and family name of Germanic origin, which means "victory of the people". It is found in countries throughout Europe and in some countries in the Americas.
In Germany, Klaus is one of the most common last names. It is especially popular in the south of the country, particularly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. According to the 2018 census, it ranked in the top 20 most popular last names in these two states. It is also popular in Austria and Switzerland, ranking among the top 20 surnames in both countries.
In the United States, there are over 13,000 people with the last name Klaus. It is most popular in the states of Wisconsin and Iowa, where it ranks in the top 500 surnames. It is also present in Canada, as well as in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
Outside of Europe and the Americas, Klaus is still found in various countries such as South Africa and Indonesia. It is also present in some countries of Asia, such as Iraq, Iran and Israel.
Overall, Klaus is still a popular surname across much of the Western world and beyond. It is especially common in Germany and other Germanic countries, as well as in the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Klaus
The surname Klaus is believed to have derived from the Germanic first name Klauss, which is a variant of the name Nicolaus. This surname is also found in various countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland as well as in the United States and Canada.
Other spellings and variants of the surname Klaus include Claus, Clauss, Kawus, Kauss, Klauss, Claas, Claes, Claeys, Klaes, and Klaas.
In German, the variants of Klaus include Klahus, Klauhues, Kloess, Kloes, Klouhs, Klanse, Klaws, Klause, Klohs, Klose, Klaiber, and Klenck.
In Dutch, the variants of Klaus are Klazen, Klaasse, Klaasen, Klaazen, Klazen, Klauws, Klauwsen, and Claws.
In Polish the variants of Klaus is Kłaus.
In Danish, the variants of Klaus are Klaues, Kloues, and Kuhlau.
In Swedish, the variants of Klaus are Klasson, Klosson, and Klovsso.
In Italian, the variants of Klaus are Claveri, Clausi, and Clauseri.
In Hebrew, the variants of Klaus are Koohes and Klafter.
In Russian, the variant of Klaus is Klauss.
In Spanish, the variants of Klaus are Claudio, Clavo, and Claus.
The other surnames related to the surname Klaus include Clausen, Kloß, Klos, Klose and Klauser.
Famous people with the name Klaus
- Klaus Fest, German bassist who has performed and recorded with numerous popular and alternative rock bands.
- Klaus Schwab, German economist and founder of the World Economic Forum.
- Klaus Meine, lead singer of the rock band Scorpions.
- Klaus Fuchs, German theoretical physicist who was responsible for some of the most significant developments in atomic and nuclear physics in the twentieth century.
- Klaus Kinski, German actor known for his roles in films such as Aguirre: The Wrath of God and Nosferatu.
- Klaus Richter, Austrian former footballer who played for a variety of clubs in Europe.
- Klaus von Klitzing, German physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985 for his work in quantum hall effect.
- Klaus Barbie, German Gestapo officer who was known as the "Butcher of Lyon" for his war crimes during World War II.
- Klaus Maffei, German composer and conductor who has worked with renowned orchestras around the world.
- Karl-Heinz Klaus, German chemist and Honorary Member of the European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Humanities.