Surname Clas - Meaning and Origin
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Clas: What does the surname Clas mean?
The last name Clas is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Old High German word “Klaas”, meaning “man from the land of Klaas”. The meaning could have several origins depending on which part of Germany this name originated from.
In some locations, such as Saxony in the 17th century, the name was derived from the pre-Germanic “Kla” or “Klai” meaning “peace”, “quiet”, or “tranquility”. In this sense, the name was loosely translated to mean “one from the peaceful land” or “from the land of quiet and tranquility”.
In other Germanic regions, such as Bavaria in the 10th century, Klaas was a popular first name. In this case, the surname Clas may have derived from the name Klaas, as it was one of the most popular personal names at the time. It could have been the father or some other ancestor of modern-day Clas' had this name.
Today, Clas is a common surname in Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and some other countries in Europe. It is also found among those of German heritage in the United States.
The modern meaning and origin of the Clas surname is still up for debate, however it is generally accepted that it is of Germanic origin and could mean either “one from the peaceful land” or “descendant of the man named Klaas”.
Order DNA origin analysisClas: Where does the name Clas come from?
The surname Clas is most common today in Germany and other German-speaking countries in Europe. In fact, in Germany the name Clas ranks as the 105th most common surname. The name has been in existence in Germany since at least the 12th Century. In Germany, the spelling of the name can vary, with Claus or Claas being two common versions.
It is believed that the name derives from the Middle High German personal name 'Claas'. It is a short form of nine different names, including Nikolaus, which subsequently became the English name Nicholas. The name is related to the medieval English name Clayes and Klaas, which is a Dutch version of the name.
Outside of Germany and German-speaking countries, the name is much less common. According to recent figures, it is the 23,379th most common name in the United States, where it is just 0.0008% of the population. The highest concentration of Clas' is in the North-West of the USA, particularly around Washington and Oregon states.
In England and Wales, the surname is far less common. Figures from the 2019 UK census show that only 344 individuals living in England and Wales have the surname Clas, ranking it as the 27,440th most common name. It is most commonly found in the North-West of England, particularly around the towns of Wigan and Preston.
Variations of the surname Clas
The surname Clas has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Clas is typically derived from the Latin name Claudius, meaning “lame” or “disabled.” It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for someone who made or mended keys, locks, or those with metalworking knowledge.
The most common variants and spellings of the surname Clas include Clauss, Claes, Klaus, Klas, Klaes, Kloss, Closs, and Clausson. These names are often seen in German-speaking countries, such as Germany and Austria, as well as in Dutch-speaking areas, such as the Netherlands.
There are also other surnames related to the surname Clas that may have a similar origin. Some of the most popular variations are Clinkscale, Clemens, Clausing, Claesz, Clausmeyer, Clay, Klaassen, Klaassens, Claasen, Claessen, and Klasse.
Claus can also be of Jewish ancestry when spelled with a “u” instead of an “o”. In this case, the surname is derived from the Old Testament name of Aaron, meaning “exalted,” or from the Hebrew name Godkin, meaning “God’s kinsman” or “God’s descendant.”
Overall, the surname Clas has a wide variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, some of which may trace back to Jewish or Latin roots.
Famous people with the name Clas
- Maximiliano Clas: Maximiliano Clas is a former professional Argentine football player. He was a central defender who played for the national team from 1992 to 1997 and the Argentine national team from 1999 to 2011.
- Larissa Clas: Larissa Clas is an American professional dancer, choreographer, and actress. She is best known for her role in the hit television series, Glee, portraying the character "Sue Sylvester".
- Shana Clas: Shana Clas is a Dutch television presenter and talk show host. She achieved fame with her show "Het Klas Café" on Dutch television, and has since become a familiar face in the world of television in the Netherlands.
- William Clas: William Clas was an American businessman who was the founder and president of the North Shore Bank of Lake County, Illinois.
- Rena Clas: Rena Clas was an American writer, editor and publisher who is best remembered for her magazine, Window, which showcased the achievements and struggles of women around the world.
- Alexander Clas: Alexander Clas was a German philosopher and theologian who is often credited as being the father of modern German philosophy. He is known for his works on the philosophy of religion, language, metaphysics and natural philosophy.
- Ludwig Clas: Ludwig Clas was a German physicist, chemist and natural philosopher who was a founding father of the field of physical chemistry. He is known for his works on the thermodynamic properties of gases and liquids.
- Franziska Clas: Franziska Clas is a German fencer who has competed in the Olympic Games. She won a silver medal in the women's foil event at the 2012 London Olympics and is a three-time German champion.
- Franz Clas: Franz Clas was a German composer who specialized in the composing and arranging of music for wind groups. He is best known for works such as his five wind symphonies, written mainly between 1790 and 1815.