Surname Niklaus - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling The Rich Cultural Tapestry of the Niklaus Surname Through My iGENEA DNA Test
Deciphering the origins and history of my surname Niklaus via an iGENEA DNA test has been a truly enlightening journey. The process uncovered the name's roots in Germanic culture and its first emergence in the historical region of Basel Land in Switzerland. Additionally, the test revealed a rich narrative of my ancestors' migrations, illustrating the complex interplay of diverse cultures and histories contained within my genetic identity.
M. Niklaus
read moreNiklaus: What does the surname Niklaus mean?
The last name Niklaus is of German and Swiss origin, and it is derived from the given name “Nikolaus," which is a Greek name composed of two elements, “nike,” meaning “victory,” and “laos,” or “people.” Together, the elements of the name mean “victory of the people,” symbolizing the victory of the oppressed or the underdog.
The name was especially popular in German-speaking countries during the 1500s, and it is believed to be a variation of the Dutch or German name "Nicolaes," "Nicholas," and “Niclaus,” all of which stem from the Greek name “Nikolaos.”
Nicholas is the patron saint of children, scholars, bakers, and, most notably, sailors, as he is often depicted in a vessel near a stormy sea. This has landed him with the title of “whipping boy” for sailors; someone who takes their blame so they don’t have to own up to it, a symbol of protection for those enduring difficult times.
It is this idea of protection that likely inspired the meaning of the surname Niklaus. People bearing the last name were proud of it and likely adopted the name as a way of expressing loyalty to a patron saint who was charged with defending them during times of adversity.
In essence, the name Niklaus is a reminder that even through trying times, we can find the strength to come out the other side with a victory.
Order DNA origin analysisNiklaus: Where does the name Niklaus come from?
The last name Niklaus is most common in Switzerland. According to data from Swiss Surname Distributions, Niklaus is one of the top 25 surnames in the country, with an estimated 50,000 individuals having that name. It is most plentiful in the Swiss cantons of Zurich, Bern, and St. Gallen.
In the United States, however, the surname is much less common. According to the most recent census report, Niklaus was the 4,000th most common surname in the country. It was stamped mostly on the coasts, with California and Texas being the states with the highest proportions of people with that name. While there, it was more common to find the variants Niklas and Niklauss.
Other countries where Niklaus has made its presence include Germany, Austria, Tenerife, Brazil, and Sweden. In these countries, it is estimated to be used by roughly 1,000 of the population.
Overall, the name Niklaus is most popular in Switzerland. However, it is still seen in multiple parts of the world, especially in countries with populations of European descent.
Variations of the surname Niklaus
Niklaus is a German surname derived from the name of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop and the patron saint of children. The surname appears in many variants across Europe.
In Germany, variants of this surname include Niclaus, Nickel, Nicklaus, Nikle, Niklaus, and Nicklas. In Denmark, all of the above variants can be found as well as Nikolaus. In Sweden, the two main variants are Niklasson and Nikolausson. In France, the variants are Niclaes, Niclaîs, Nicolai, Nicolas, Nicolasse, Nicolau, and Nicolle.
In the Netherlands, the name appears as Niclaes, Nicolas, Nicolai, Nicolay, Nicolls, and Nieklase. In Austria, the variant Nicolaus is commonly seen. All of the above variants appear in Switzerland, with the addition of Nickli and Nicoli. Outside of Continental Europe, Niclas is the most common variant in Finland.
In the United States and Canada, Niklaus is usually found as Klaus, Klass, Kloster, Niclas, Nickel, Nickle, and of course the original spelling Niklaus. Additionally, the surname is occasionally seen spelled as Nicholas. Lastly, other family names derived from Niklaus include Kloss, Klostermeyer, and Parzinger.
Famous people with the name Niklaus
- Mike Niklaus: former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Benjamin Niklaus: professional footballer
- Michelle Niklaus: actress
- Bernd Niklaus: German professor of psychology
- Johannes Niklaus: Swiss mountaineer
- Heiko Niklaus: German architect
- Tony Niklaus: French composer and organist
- Pierre Niklaus: Swiss author and entrepreneur
- Artur Niklaus: Swiss ski jumper
- Barrie Niklaus: British music video producer
- Wolf Niklaus: German entrepreneur and engineer
- Johann Niklaus: former German football goalkeeper
- Patrick Niklaus: former French sprint canoer
- Ulli Niklaus: former Swiss football defender
- Peter Niklaus: former Swiss sprinter
- Emanuel Niklaus: former American collegiate basketball player
- Luc Niklaus: Swiss documentary filmmaker
- Jean Niklaus: Swiss independent filmmaker
- John Niklaus: New Zealand novelist and playwright
- Albert Niklaus: former German footballer
- Laurence Niklaus: French poet
- Heiner Niklaus: German ice hockey left winger
- Werner Niklaus: former Swiss football striker
- Christophe Niklaus: French footballer