Surname Klaasen - Meaning and Origin
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Klaasen: What does the surname Klaasen mean?
Klaasen is a Dutch surname, derived from the given name "Klaas". The given name Klaas is a Dutch variant of Nicholas, and thus the last name likely originated from the Christian traditional of naming a child after a saint.
Klaas, or Nikolaas in Dutch, derived from the Greek name Nicolaos, meaning "victory of the people". This name originates from the combination of two Greek words: νικη (nike), meaning "victory", and λαος (laos) meaning "people". This combination was used to form a battle cry in Ancient Greece expressing the hope for victory.
The surnames Klaasen, Klassen, or Claessen are often used interchangeably, though they have distinct coat of arms and origins. Klaasen is the most commonly used spelling of the surname, and is thought most frequently to be of Dutch origin. It is also found scattered throughout Germany, though it is unclear how it spread from the Netherlands.
The Rapenburg family of Amsterdam are a prominent family bearing the Klaasen surname, stemming from Abraham Klaasen Rapenburg, who moved to Amsterdam in 1815. Abraham Klaasen had several sons, many of whom also adopted the Klaasen surname.
In modern times, Klaasen is a common surname throughout Europe with an estimated 16,500 individuals with this surname living in the Netherlands. It is also present in Belgium, Canada, South America, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKlaasen: Where does the name Klaasen come from?
The last name Klaasen is most commonly found today in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium and Germany. It is most likely of Dutch origin, derived from the word “Klaas” which means “people” in Dutch. Although the name has been around for centuries, the spelling of the name has changed over the years.
Klaasen is the sixth-most common surname in the Netherlands. It is also quite popular in Germany where it is the seventeenth-most popular surname in the country. In more recent years, the name has spread to other parts of the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and the UK, where it ranks much lower in terms of prevalence.
Originally an occupational name, Klaasen is derived from the Dutch words “klaas” and “vader”, which both mean “a man working on a ship”. In many cases, the name might have been adapted during times of emigration in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, the people who bear this name may have different heritages and backgrounds, but all trace their roots back to the same name. From areas near the North Sea to the far corners of the globe, Klaasen remains an enduring surname that links people from different countries and cultural groups.
Variations of the surname Klaasen
The surname Klaasen is a variant of the surname Clausen. It is a patronymic surname which originated from the given name Klaus, derived from the German name form of Niclaus. Niclaus is the form of Nicholas—a common given name which originated from the Greek name Nikolaos.
Klaasen is a spelling variant of the surname, originating in the Low Countries and Germany. There are other alternate spellings which include Claasen, Klassen, Claessen, Kleesen, Kleessen, Klasen,kluesen, Clasen and Klause.
Surnames of a similar origin include Claus, Claussen, Klase, Klausen, Kaas, Kammer, Klaassen, Klatt, Kláves, Klawitter, and Kloss.
Variations of Klaasen occur in many countries worldwide. In the United States, variations include Klassen, Klasing, Klesen, Kleesen, Klayson, Klazinsky, Kless, Klesin, Klausen, Klay, and Klasing. In the Netherlands and Germany, variations include Klasen, Kleis, Kleesmann, Klesse, Klaus, and Kletter. In France, variations include Claise, Clamens, Clavens, Clericier, Cloyes, and Cloyet. In Spain, variations include Clas Younger, Clas, Clasan, Clao, Claris, and Claver. In Scandinavia, variations include Klaasson, Klass, Klaesson, Klasson, Klasse, and Klint. In Lithuania, variations include Klasenka, Klaskevicz, Klaskowski, and Klaskar. In South Africa, variations include Klaasen, Klaassen, Klaas, Klaase, Klaskwyk, Klaske, Claris, Klusken, and Clasen.
The specific meaning and origin of the surname and its many variations may vary from family to family. Generally, it is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Klaus" and is derived from the German given name Niklaus.
Famous people with the name Klaasen
- Jelle Klaasen: Dutch darts player and former World Champion.
- Jaap Klaasen: Dutch singer and musical actor.
- Kirsten Klaasen: Canadian film and television actress.
- Koen Klaasen: Dutch soccer player.
- Henk Klaasen: Dutch author and poet.
- Ria Klaasen: Dutch jazz singer.
- Hans Klaasen: Dutch animator and director.
- Mike Klaasen: Dutch clarinettist and saxophonist.
- Mirjan Klaasen: South African actor, voice artist and musician.
- Frits Klaasen: Dutch actor and author.
- Niesje Klaasen: Dutch singer and songwriter.
- Karlijn Klaasen: Dutch singer, vocal coach and producer.
- Eddie Klaasen: Dutch international soccer player.
- René Klaassen: Dutch movie creator, lecturer and animation director.
- Daan Klaasen: Dutch soccer player.