Surname Klabis - Meaning and Origin
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Klabis: What does the surname Klabis mean?
The last name Klabis is believed to be of Slavic origin and is typically found in the countries that make up the former Yugoslavia. It is also found to be most commonly present in Lithuania and Poland.
The etymology of the surname is believed to come from the word “klaba” which means “brick.” It is possible that someone with the name Klabis was a bricklayer in the past or had a parent or relative who worked with this type of material. It may also have originated as a nickname that described the physical features or character traits of an individual.
Klabis can also come from the word “krava” or “crow,” which was often used as a nickname for crafty or cunning people. It also has an alternate meaning of “fighter,” which could have been indicative of one’s background in martial arts or other forms of hand-to-hand combat.
Today, the surname Klabis is often found among individuals of Lithuanian heritage, but it can also be found in other parts of Europe and around the world. It is also not uncommon to find people with this surname scattered throughout the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKlabis: Where does the name Klabis come from?
The last name Klabis is most common in Lithuania, where it is one of the country’s most frequently-encountered surnames. It is thought to be derived from the Lithuanian word “klabas”, meaning an issue or topic. The spread of the name outside of Lithuania may be due to the country’s history as part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as the Grand Duchy included parts of modern-day Russia, Latvia, and Belarus, and thus large numbers of Lithuanians who left their homeland during migrations.
In the United States, Klabis is found primarily in large urban nodes, with the most dense concentrations centered on New York City and Chicago. A 2019 data study showed that over 350 people in the U.S. are named Klabis, spread throughout the country. It is also quite a common name in Canada, where it shares the same popularity as in the U.S.
Outside of North America, Klabis is especially common in Argentina, Poland, Germany, and Australia. Interestingly, the name was particularly popular in Argentina in the 1950s due to large numbers of Lithuanian immigrants who arrived in the country following the Second World War.
As a result of its diverse geographical presence, the Klabis name has accumulated a wide variety of spellings, including Klebe, Klaube, Klavis, Klobes, and Klovis.
Variations of the surname Klabis
Klabis is a surname of Lithuanian origin. It is derived from the old Lithuanian word for claw, "klabis". Variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin include Klabys, Klabiss, Klabisson, Klabisz, Klabiszewski, Klabiszuk, Klabiś, Klabich, Klaiba, Kliba, Klibys, Klibysz, Klubys, and Klobys.
The Klabis surname can also be spelled other ways, depending on the language or country of origin. In Lithuania, the surname can be seen as Klabys, Klabisson, Klabisz, or Klabische. In other Slavic countries, the names can be seen as Klabiś, Klaiba, Kliba, or Klibys. In Poland, the surname can be seen spelled as Klabiszewski, Klabiszuk or Klebysz.
The variants of the Klabis surname can all be found within different countries and regions as the surname has spread throughout Europe over time. In Slovenia, the surname is seen as Klubys or Klobys, as in Slovenia the variation of the Klabis surname is Klubič or Klobuč. Klabis is also seen in Germany, where German speaking countries have adopted the surname as Klabisch.
Since the origin of the Klabis surname is Lithuanian, it is important for those of Lithuanian descent to retain and document their ancestral heritage as accurately and completely as possible. Doing so is not only an important part of honoring one's Lithuanian heritage, but allows those of the diaspora to better connect with their original homeland and culture.
Famous people with the name Klabis
- Alin Klabis: Romanian football coach
- Allen Klabis: American entrepreneur
- Joseph Klabis: American soccer player
- Keith Klabis: former professional basketball player in Europe
- Kristina Klabis: Lithuanian pianist and vocalist
- Mark Klabis: American former professional tennis player
- Mike Klabis: American former middleweight judoka
- Norman Klabis: American former NFL player
- Sarah Klabis: American actress
- Vincent Klabis: American cyclist