Surname Klauss - Meaning and Origin
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Klauss: What does the surname Klauss mean?
The last name Klauss is of German origin, and is thought to come from a shortened form of the name Nicholas. It has several variations stemming from the German language, with the most common being Clauss, Klaus and Klauss. This name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and other countries which had populations of German settlers.
Klauss is typically considered to be a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. In this case, the ancestor's given name was most likely Nicholas, and thus it is a shortened version of that name. It is possible, however, that it is derived from a different name, but this is less likely.
This name is fairly common throughout Germany and Austria, and is still in use in the 21st century. The meaning behind the name is not clear, and likely comes from the given name from which it is derived.
In terms of modern usage, Klauss is still a popular name in Germany and Austria, and is occasionally seen in other countries as well. It is commonly used as a surname, and many variations of the name exist as well. Klauss is also a popular character name in fiction, and is often seen in books and television shows.
Order DNA origin analysisKlauss: Where does the name Klauss come from?
The last name Klauss is most common today in countries within Central and Eastern Europe such as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In Germany, Klauss is the 477th most common last name. Most of these countries are located near the border between Germany and Austria, where the name first originated, and the name Klauss probably emerged as a combination of the pre 7th century German "Claus," meaning “victorious”, and the suffix "-s."
Klauss is also common in other parts of Europe including the Netherlands, France and Poland. Outside of Europe, it is largely found throughout the United States, specifically in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. The popularity of the name in the United States is due to the large-scale immigration by Germans, Austrians, and other Central Europeans in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Klauss is particularly popular in Puerto Rico, a country heavily influenced by European and Spanish cultural heritage. Here, the name is the 296th most common last name, falling between the names Morales and Hernandez. This may be because many European settlers intermarried with local Puerto Ricans during the 19th and 20th century, which led to the gradual introduction of non-Spanish names into the local populace.
Given its rich history, the surname Klauss continues to be a popular name throughout much of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as North, Central, and South America. Today, it is a unifying Germanic name that still resonates with many individuals throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Klauss
The surname Klauss is believed to be of Germanic origin and may have derived from a personal name of the same spelling, likely derived from the Roman term "Claudius" meaning "lame" or "crippled".
Variants of the surname include Klauß, Klause, Klaus, Clauss, Clausser, Claus, Clause, Clauser, Clas, Claese, Claas, Kloss, Klosse, Klossen, and Klössig among others.
Spellings of Klauss can also vary depending on regional dialect with some people opting for Klouse, Klous, Kolus, Kloose, etc.
The surnames of the same origin include Klausen, Klauser, Klos, Klose, Claussen, Clausing, Clausen, Clauser, Clasing, Clawsing, Claes, Clase, Clasen, Claeser, and Klaass among others.
It is important to note that the name could also be born from two other sources including the nickname for the follower of St. Clare of Assisi or Saint Cloud or it could also be derived from the Middle Dutch word “klaas” meaning “knot” of “fastening”.
The evolution of the surname also includes spelling variations across borders and through time, such as Klaussing, Kleus, Klausser, and Kleuser to name a few.
It is estimated that there are at least 50,000 distinct spellings of the surname Klauss across the world today.
Famous people with the name Klauss
- Adam Klauss: Renowned German actor and musician who has played in numerous films, television series, and stage productions.
- Gary Klauss: American songwriter and musician who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Hans Klauss: Award-winning German cinematographer and director of photography.
- John Klauss: American author and creator of the Nickelodeon show “The Fairly OddParents.”
- Walter Klauss: Austrian politician who served two terms as vice chancellor of Austria under chancellor Bruno Kreisky.
- Florian Klauss: German actor known for his 2017 performance in the film “The Last Family”.
- Hugo Klauss: Argentinian musician and composer, he is best known for his work in the theater musical “Tango 1900”.
- Christoph Klauss: Austrian journalist and author of the book “The End of Fear”, a psychological analysis of the modern age.
- Wolfgang Klauss: German mathematician and physicist who developed modern mathematical theories and developed new algorithms for computer sciences.
- Lisa Klauss: American actress who has appeared on television shows such as “House”, “Seinfeld”, and “Grey’s Anatomy.”