Surname Clause - Meaning and Origin
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Clause: What does the surname Clause mean?
The last name Clause is a French or Belgian last name derived from the word 'clause' which means a statement in law or contract. It is believed that the name was first used as a nickname to describe someone who paid close attention to detail or who liked to debate legal contracts and documents. Alternatively, it is thought to refer to someone who had a testy or difficult temperament.
The origin of the surname follows the tradition of the surname being used to indicate some traits about the family line or an individual descendant, and in some cases to distinctly identify that person. In either case, the surname most likely began to be used in a hereditary fashion in France or Belgium some time during the Medieval Period.
Clause has seen some popularity as a surname throughout Europe, but is particularly common in France and Belgium. It is found in various spellings including Clauss, Claus, Clausson, and de Clause. Those bearing the surname may descent from a person from the area of Lauragais in southwestern France.
Today, the surname Clause continues to be very popular in France and Belgium, and it is also found in Canada, the United States, and even Australia. No matter what the true origin of the name is, it is most certainly a surname of French or Belgian origin.
Order DNA origin analysisClause: Where does the name Clause come from?
The surname Clause is most commonly found throughout the United States, with a larger concentration in Louisiana and Texas. Its prevalence in the US can likely be traced back to Huguenot immigrants who came to the American colonies in the 17th century. There is also a significant presence of the name in Canada, particularly in the French-speaking regions. It is believed that many of these Canadians are descended from the same Huguenot immigrants who settled in America.
Fragmentary records and hints suggest that the name may have originated much earlier than the 1700s, with a mention of a “Claude de la Clause” in 1202 France. It is possible that the Clause surname is derived from this individual, or even a Gaelic origin which may have had variants such as “MacClaude” and “MacClause”.
The name is still in use today and those bearing it can trace their family history with some degree of ease. Research brought to light a significant number of noteworthy people with the Clause name, including a former mayor of New Orleans, a senator, a mayor of Toronto, a French Lieutenant General and a lieutenant in Napoleon’s army. The Clauses also played a significant role in the civil rights movement in the US, with many actively involved in the struggle. In Louisiana, the Clauses were among the first to break down segregation in the workplace and in education.
Overall, the heritage of the last name Clause is a proud one, and remains prominent in many countries today.
Variations of the surname Clause
The surname Clause has many variations in spelling and origin. The most common variant is Clauss. Other variants include Clouse, Claes, Clasen, Claessens, Claessen, Claußen, Klasen, Klos, Klose, Kloeßen, Klaas, Klaasen, Klause, Claess, Claus, Cloots, and Clus.
The Clause surname is Germanic in origin. It was first used by people living in what is now the Netherlands, and the surname loosely means “from the house of Klaus” at its root. The Clan was originally anglicized to Clauss, which is still commonly seen today.
Claes and Clasen originate from the Low Countries, especially the Netherlands and Belgium. The name was bestowed to someone who worked as an artisan blacksmith.
The surname Clouse derived from the Bavarian region in southern Germany, where the surname is associated with its literal translation of “a closeness or nearness.”
The surname Claessen can be traced to Holland and German-speaking parts of Belgium. It is often associated with being a farmer.
Claußen, Klos, Klose, Kloeßen, and Klaas are also Germanic in origin, while Klaasen is more specifically linked to the Netherlands. The name has derived from the Germanic word “claose”, which means “dwells close together.”
The Claess and Claus surname is most commonly seen in the United States, however it is also prominent in Austria and Germany. It is also thought to have descended from the Germanic word “klausen”, which means “little people”.
Lastly, Cloots, Clus and Klause are all more closely linked to the French language. Cloots originates from the old French word “clot” which translates to mean “ball of yarn”. Clus is derived from the term “clutser,” which refers to a person who was involved in weaving yarn. Similarly, Klause has its root in “cloux,” which also refers to someone who weaved textiles, but specifically those from linen.
Famous people with the name Clause
- Jason Clause: is an American professional water skier who held the world's overall water skiing speed record of 119 km/h.
- Bill Clause: is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Arnold Clause: is a former American professional basketball player.
- Hunter Clause: is an actor known for his roles in films such as The Kings of Summer and Lords of Dogtown.
- Christian Clause: is a German professional footballer.
- Kent Clause: is a former American professional baseball player.
- Jan Clause: is a former American professional basketball player and coach.
- Emma Clause: is a British actress known for her roles in films such as X-Men and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
- Christina Clause: is an American country music artist and songwriter.
- John Clause: is a British actor best known for his role in the British television series, Spooks.