Surname Clös - Meaning and Origin
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Clös: What does the surname Clös mean?
The last name Clös is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German term kleit, meaning “little” or “small”. It is likely that individuals with the last name Clös would have been of diminutive stature, or even referred to by others as "little Clös".
The name was common throughout Germany and many residents in the area would have shared the last name Clös. Today, it is a common surname in modern Germany and is sometimes used by other members of the Germanic communities.
The last name Clös is likely connected to old German nobility. In the Middle Ages, the last name was seen as a sign of wealth and prestige. It was also associated with military prowess and was used by many of the ruling classes in Europe. As a result, it was adopted by many distinct families that were not necessarily related to one another.
The name also has a deep religious connotation. In some contexts, it has been thought to signify that the person associated with it had a well-perceived character and imaginative qualities. Some have also claimed the name as being related to the Biblical story of St. Paul, who is known as "The Little One" or "Little Paul" in some references.
In modern times, the name Clös is still relatively common and serves as an indicator of a family's German roots. It typically denotes intelligence, insight, and a large amount of courage. It is also said to signify strength, loyalty, and dependability, and is broadly seen as a source of pride for those who bare the name.
Order DNA origin analysisClös: Where does the name Clös come from?
The surname Clös is most prominently associated with German-speaking areas of Europe, primarily Germany but also Switzerland, Austria and other German-speaking countries. The name is a variant of the more common German surname "Klöss," and is thought to have originated from a place name in an area of Germany formerly known as Prussia. Today, the surname is still very common in German-speaking countries, in particular Germany, where it remains one of the top 100 most common surnames.
The longer name "Clös" seems to have disappeared, but many families have retained the "Klöss" spelling. In the US, the name is somewhat less common, with the 2010 US census recording only 85 individuals with the surname. It is likely that many of these are of German ancestry, or recent immigrants from German-speaking countries. The name is also present in Canada, with the 2016 Canadian census detecting just 90 individuals with the spelling "Klöss."
Over all, the name Clös is not especially common today, mainly confined to German-speaking countries, but some families have retained the original spelling of "Klöss" in their own countries as well as in migration. Those of German ancestry may wish to research their family history to determine if their paternal ancestors may have been part of this small German-speaking clan.
Variations of the surname Clös
The surname Clös is of Germanic origin. It can appear in various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Close, Cloose, Clouse, and Clows.
Close is a variation of the Clös surname that appears mainly in the United Kingdom. It is a variant of the Anglo-Saxon surname Clase, derived from the masculine personal name Claus or Klaas.
Cloose is a Germanic variant of the Clös surname and appears mainly in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Clouse is a variant of the surname Clös, which appears mainly in Pennsylvania, USA. It is a variation of the German name Kleus, meaning “brushwood”, and is derived from the Middle Low German word klosen.
Clows is a spelling variant of Clös and appears mainly in the north of England, mainly in Yorkshire. The origins of the name Clows come from the Anglo-Saxon word Clowse, a variation of Claus, which was derived from the personal name Klaues.
In addition to these variants, other surnames with a common origin to the surname Clös include Klose, Klus, Claustin, Closs, Klasse, Kloes, and Kloos. Each of these names is derived from the original surname Clös and each has its own regional variations, spellings, and meanings.
Famous people with the name Clös
- Johann Clös: German mathematician known for his work in the field of geometry
- Bernhard Clös: German painter, printmaker and graphic designer
- Wilhelm Clös: German lawyer and writer
- Maria Clös: German singer, songwriter, and actor
- Friedrich Clös: German royal hoof master
- Hugo Clös: German chess master and theologian
- Jean Clös: French sculptor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
- Friedrich-Viktor Clös: German architect
- Martin Clös: German antiquarian and collector
- Ludovica Clös: German gardener and horticulturalist