Surname Kleisz - Meaning and Origin
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Kleisz: What does the surname Kleisz mean?
The last name Kleisz is generally accepted to be a variation of the German and Ashkenazi Jewish last name, Kliess. The surname is derived from the German word "klug," meaning 'clever' or 'intelligent'. This typically suggests that members of the Kleisz family are both intelligent and have an ability to think critically.
The surname is quite common across German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even the Czech Republic, where it is spelled slightly differently, Klise. It is also found among Jewish populations as far afield as South Africa and Israel.
The Kleisz surname is of patronymic origin, meaning it has been passed down through the generations and is now used as an immediate family name. This also suggests that the family has a history that may go back centuries. Studies have shown that the suffix ‘-ez’ may have been added to the name at a later date to distinguish members of the family from other, similarly-named families. It is a popular belief that this name may have been acquired when one of the family members drove an ox-drawn wagon.
In short, the Kleisz surname has a long-standing history among the German and Jewish populations, and has been passed down through the generations for many centuries. It is believed to be deriving from "klug" meaning 'intelligent' and may have an additional '-ez' added to the name to distinguish different family members.
Order DNA origin analysisKleisz: Where does the name Kleisz come from?
The last name Kleisz is most common today in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. In Hungary, where the surname is spelled Kley, it is the 135th most popular name in the country. In Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is spelled Kleszcz and ranks 291st and 273rd respectively in popularity. In Poland, where it is spelled Klejsz, it is the 1,291st most popular name. In Ukraine, it is spelled Kley and ranks 658th in popularity, while in Romania it is spelled Kleissz and ranks 854th.
The surname likely originates from the Middle High German and Old High German name of the same spelling which translates roughly to “monkey’. It was likely first used to denote a person who was mischievous or playful, as a monkey is known to be. During the medieval period, when it became more common, it was likely most often given to people to denote their behaviour as these were simpler times.
Today, the last name Kleisz is found all over Central and Eastern Europe, especially in countries such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. It likely originated from the Middle High German or Old High German words meaning “monkey” and was most likely given to denote a mischievous or playful personality.
Variations of the surname Kleisz
Kleisz is a surname of Austrian-Hungarian origin, and there are many variants, spellings, and connected surnames stemming from this root. Some similar spellings include Klaisz, Kleiss, Kleisch, and Klaisch. Variants, such as Kliese and Klysze, are also found in records.
Surnames that stem from the root name of Kleisz include Klieser, Klais, Klaiber, Klauss, Klaaser, Kliesser, Kleser, Klaus, Kleese, Klaeger, Kleinkauf, and Kleiner. Others, such as Klesch, Klaesch, Klesi, Kleisser, and Klaesz may also stem from the root name.
In addition, some altered versions of the Kleisz surname appear, such as Kleyse, Claise, and Klaimer, although they are not directly related. Others, such as Klingenschmitt, may also have evolved from this spelling over time.
When researching the Kleisz surname, it is important to keep in mind its many variants, spellings, and related surnames. By doing so, one may uncover invaluable records in Austrian-Hungarian history.
Famous people with the name Kleisz
- Rachel Kleisz: professional Bassoonist
- Joseph Kleisz: American composer and conductor
- Paul Kleisz: Canadian-American theorbos and lutes player
- Irwin Kleisz: Contemporary painter from Pennsylvania
- Simon Kleisz: Writer from Austria
- Linda Kleisz: Editor from Toronto
- Oskar Kleisz: Austrian film director
- Clay Kleisz: American freestyle motocross rider
- István Kleisz: Hungarian politician
- Markus Kleisz: Austrian bassist