Surname Kleissl - Meaning and Origin
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Kleissl: What does the surname Kleissl mean?
The last name Kleissl (or Kloeis, or Kleiss, etc.) is an occupational surname, originating with a person who had the job of making or selling keys. It is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German word "kleis," which refers to a key or lock. This type of last name is also found in other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The name is thought to have two potential meanings. It could be a nod to the strength of the locks into which these keys fit, giving rise to the idea of strength or protection. On the other hand, it could also be a reference to the person's skills and expertise, suggesting craftsmanship or top-level proficiency. The most likely ancient origin of the name dates back to the Middle Ages. During those times, many of the locksmiths were highly skilled craftsmen, able to design customized locks and keys for their customers.
The Kleissl name is an apt representation of this medieval craft, tracing back to a time when locksmiths were essential members of their community for both economic and security reasons. Today, the last name is spread all around the world, with many now employed in the security industry or as locksmiths. It is a reminder of the significance of locksmiths in the past, and their important role in both historical societies and modern ones.
Order DNA origin analysisKleissl: Where does the name Kleissl come from?
Kleissl is a surname of German origin, with the earliest records showing its presence in the turn of the nineteenth century in the southern regions of the German Confederation. Today, the surname Kleissl can still primarily be found in southern Germany and Austria.
Kleissl is also present in parts of the German-speaking diasporas, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it has been distributed since the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The highest concentration of the surname outside of Europe can be found in the United States, particularly in Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin, suggesting that many of those who left Europe for the “New World” at the time were Kleissls.
In addition to Europe and North America, the surname Kleissl can also be found in other parts of the world such as South East Asia and various African countries – although the presence of the surname in these regions is likely due to recent German immigration to regions such as South Africa during the early 20th century.
Today, Kleissl remains a common surname, particularly in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Although many Kleissls may have emigrated to other parts of the world in search of opportunity, many families have still managed to keep the surname alive.
Variations of the surname Kleissl
The surname Kleissl has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Kleiss, Kleis, Kleyss, Kleinss, Kleiss, Kleissler, Kleyssler, Kleinssler, Klaissl, Klaissler, Klaysl and Klaysler. Additionally, the surname Klaas, Klaes and Clase may also be related.
Kleiss, Kleis, Kleyss and Kleinss all originate from German, and are derived from the Middle High German word "kleisls", which means "key". In other words, it was used as an occupational surname for a locksmith. The variant spellings Kleissler, Kleyssler and Kleinssler were used in Austria and Germany, while the Klaissl, Klaissler, Klaysl and Klaysler variants are found more often in Bavaria.
The surname Klaas could originate from either the Dutch word meaning "Jacob" or the German wordaltering of Kleiss. Meanwhile, Klaes and Clase are the Dutch and German versions of the Greek surname Klassios, which is derived from the Greek word meaning "distinguished".
Overall, the variants of Kleissl are reflective of the vast cultures and languages of Europe. The surname originated from a locksmith and can be found in a variety of forms throughout German-speaking regions of Europe such as Austria and Germany, and even as far as the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Kleissl
- Lisa Kleissner: CEO of Impact Hub, a global network of collaborative workspaces.
- Mark Kleissler: German professional rally driver.
- Margot Kleissl: German actress, director, and photographer.
- Hans Kleissl: German sculptor.
- Marc Kleissl: Canadian astrophysicist and professor.
- Hans Kleissl: Former chairman of the US-based Association of the Seven Moieties of the Modern Iroquois Confederacy.
- Rupert Kleissl: American industrialist and entrepreneur.
- Gustav Kleissl: German chemist and inventor.
- Wolfgang Kleissl: German mathematician and philosopher.
- Werner Kleissl: Austrian journalist.
- Sepp Kleissl: Austrian actor and voice actor.
- Christa Kleissl: Austrian mezzo-soprano singer.
- Franz Kleissl: Austrian actor, director, and screenwriter.
- Mary Kleissl: German-American diplomat and author.
- Franz Kleissl: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Tim Kleissl: American software engineer.
- Nina Kleissl: German photographer and journalist.
- Marie Kleissl: Austrian opera soprano.
- Julian Kleissl: German film editor, screenwriter, and director.
- Carina Kleissl: Austrian dentist and public health expert.