Surname Kloessmann - Meaning and Origin
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Kloessmann: What does the surname Kloessmann mean?
The last name Kloessmann is a German name which dates back to the Middle Ages. The name originates from a German locational surname derived from a place called Kloessmann in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The word Kloessmann comes from the medieval German word “kleho” meaning “smaller house, hut, or isolated residence”. The name most likely referred to a family who lived in a small house or hut in the area.
Kloessmann can also be an occupational name deriving from the medieval German term “Klehmann” which refers to a landowner or tenant farmer. The origin of this name indicates that bearers of Kloessmann were engaged in agricultural activities, most likely running a small farm.
Over time, the name has been subject to various spellings and phonetic changes. Records of the name Kloessmann date back to the 14th century in southern Germany. The earliest recorded reference is a tax document from 1281 which mentions a person named Henrico de Kloesema. The name is also mentioned in a land deed from the same region in 1450.
In more modern times, the name Kloessmann has spread to various parts of the world, particularly North America and Europe. It is a rare name and is a testament to the endurance of time-honoured family traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisKloessmann: Where does the name Kloessmann come from?
The last name Kloessmann is most commonly found in the modern world in Germany. It has been concentrated mainly in Lower Saxony, near the North Sea, and can be found throughout the country, especially in Nieder-Saulheim, a large farming community near Worms. In the US it is rarely seen; there is no concentrated Kloessmann population, though there may be a few individuals scattered throughout the country. Kloessmann is believed to have originated in Germany somewhere in the 1700s.
Kloessmann is derived from the old German word Kloes, which is a type of spring trap. An individual with this last name may have once been a hunter or cub hunter who used these traps to catch their prey. The suffix mann indicates this individual could have been a man of importance in the local community. Scholars have also suggested the name may be derived from the name Clemens, which is an old Germanic name (shortened from Clemensman).
Today, Kloessmann is a rare last name, found almost exclusively in Germany. Although there may be a handful of individuals in the US with this surname, it remains concentrated in the regions of Lower Saxony and Rhine-Palatinate in Germany. It can also be found in many rural communities, with older generations of Kloessmanns still residing there.
Variations of the surname Kloessmann
The surname Kloessmann is of German origin and dates back to the medieval period. Variations of the name include Klessmann, Klesmann, Kleßmann, Klossmann, Kloßmann, Kloßman, Kloessman, Kloesmann, Kloesman and Kloelman.
Klesmann is a variant of the name likely derived from the Middle High German klusen meaning “forest” and man meaning “man”. This could suggest that the surname originated in a wooded area. Alternatively, Klesmann could also be derived from the High German kleis meaning “key” and man, the latter again meaning “man”. This could have indicated that the ancestor of the name-bearers held the keys to a castle or door of a manor house.
Klossmann is thought to derive from the German klotz, which is a word referring to an area of land dividing one territory from another and man, again meaning “man”. Therefore, this surname could have been a sign of border control and of guardianship for each landowner.
Kloßman is a variant likely derived from the Low German kloos, meaning “stall, pen” and man, being “man”. This could mean that the original bearer of this name came from a place where animals were held or farmed. Alternatively, it is a shortened form of Kloßmann, derived from the Middle High German klos meaning “enclosure” and man, again being “man”. This could suggest that the surname originated in a fortified castle, tower keep or city wall.
Finally, Kloessman is a combination of the German words klos, meaning “enclosure” and sman, meaning “worker” or “servant”. Therefore, this surname could be a sign of someone who worked on or guarded a fortress or castle or who worked to protect its inhabitants.
Famous people with the name Kloessmann
- Hans Kloessmann: Henry Kloessmann was a German-American architect who designed important buildings in the Midwest in the 20th century, including the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Michael Kloessmann: Michael Kloessmann is a former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, who most notably played in Super Bowl XIX.
- Christiane Kloessmann: Christiane Kloessmann is a model and actor from Germany. She is best known for appearing in the 2003 German movie The Edukators, starring Daniel Brühl and Julia Jentsch.
- Monika Kloessmann: Monika Kloessmann is a German soprano vocalist. She has performed for many productions and released two albums.
- Helge Kloessmann: Helge Kloessmann is a German former professional footballer who played as a defender from 1973 to 1986. He made 192 appearances for Eintracht Braunschweig.
- Alois Kloessmann: Alois Kloessmann was a German civic rights activist and prolific fundraiser. He is best known for his work with the Catholic Charity Association and the German Red Cross organization.
- Herman Kloessmann: Herman Kloessmann was a pioneering American furniture designer and founder of Herman Kloessmann Company, which produced high-end furniture in the early 20th century.