Surname Klueß - Meaning and Origin
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Klueß: What does the surname Klueß mean?
The origin of the last name Klueß is German. The name is derived from a word meaning “lump” or “ball” and suggests someone who was known for being round or round-faced. It may also have been an occupational surname for a maker or seller of round objects.
Klueß is an uncommon name, but can be found in several German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is most common in Germany, where it is the 2,203rd most popular surname.
The name has some noted bearer, including German physicist Eduard Klueß (1873-1948). He was a professor at the Technical University of Munich for many years and is credited with improving the use of X-ray technology in medical diagnostics.
The name is not particularly common and much variation, such as Klock or Kluthe, do not appear to be related. It appears to have been derived from a dialogue and there are various interpretations of the name’s origin. Whatever the origin, though, the surname Klueß appears to refer to someone who was well-known for being round or having a round face.
Order DNA origin analysisKlueß: Where does the name Klueß come from?
The last name Klueß is most commonly found in Germany. It is a German-language occupational surname that refers to a person who was a locksmith or a locksmith's assistant. The name is derived from an old German word “klussen” meaning “to close”.
The name Klueß can be seen in documents dating back to the 13th century, when records were kept of those in the locksmithing trade. The name began to spread throughout Germany and surrounding countries in the 1400s, with records indicating that it spread the furthest in northern Germany and the Netherlands.
Today, the Klueß surname is common in Germany and the Netherlands, but is also frequently seen in Austria, American and throughout other European countries as well. The frequency of the name may vary from country to country, but overall, it is still quite common two centuries after first appearing in records.
In Germany, the last name Klueß is ranked at 303 out of 10,000 most common surnames. It is also a popular American last name with over 500 people in the U.S. having a variation of this name.
As a whole, the Klueß surname is relatively common across the world and represents a long history of locksmiths and their descendants.
Variations of the surname Klueß
Klueß is a German surname deriving from the German word for "clove" (Klauß). Variants include Klauß, Glöß, Glause, Klose and also Glöse. Additionally, there are various spellings of this name such as Kluess, Cluess, Kluse, Kloess, Klöss and Gloess.
The spelling of this surname changed over time as the borders of Germany shifted. For example, in areas of Germany such as Prussia, it was spelled "Klauß". In areas of Germany such as Saxony, it was spelled "Glöß". Some other spellings originated in Eastern Europe near the border with Germany, where the spelling may have been more heavily influenced by Eastern Slavic languages.
Klueß is the most common spelling today. Its variations, and those of its derivative surnames, can be seen scattered all over the world. In fact, because of its Germanic roots, it can often be found in areas of the United States such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and other parts of the Midwest.
Today, this surname can also be found in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The spelling may be slightly modified but it is still essentially the same surname. Variations can also be found in other parts of the world such as Africa, South and Central America, as well as in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
As with many common surnames, variations in spelling are inevitable and the derivation of the name is unclear. Despite this, the Klueß surname can easily be identified, making it a valuable clue in researching family history and genealogical records.
Famous people with the name Klueß
- Dennis Klauss, German former footballer
- Lydia Klueß, Swiss politician
- Julia Klüssendorf, German actress
- Wilfried Klüß, German former footballer
- Erwin Klauss, Austrian former footballer
- Dirk Klüß, German former rugby player
- Jürgen Klüß, German former footballer
- Torsten Klüß, German former footballer
- Walter Klüß, German former footballer
- Manfred Klüß, German former footballer