Surname Klaesvogt - Meaning and Origin
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Klaesvogt: What does the surname Klaesvogt mean?
The last name Klaesvogt is derived from two German words, “Klaes” meaning “keys” and “Vogt” meaning “guardian.” Historically, “Vogt” referred to a government official in charge of an administrative district in several German states. The title was also offered to individuals from certain noble families who served the government in executive positions in various provinces. When combined, the two words can be taken to mean a guardian of the keys, which is associated with an official position of great responsibility. As such, “Klaesvogt” can be seen to imply a strong sense of trustworthiness, reliability and integrity, attributes that the family may have held in high esteem.
The name “Klaesvogt” is most common in Germany and the Netherlands. This may be explained by the fact that large numbers of people came to emigrate from Germany and the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries, thus bringing the name with them. The name may also be found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
In summary, the last name Klaesvogt has its origins in two German words, Klaes and Vogt, meaning “keys” and “guardian” respectively. It has historically been associated with positions of high responsibility, suggesting a sense of trustworthiness and integrity. This name is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands, but also other German-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisKlaesvogt: Where does the name Klaesvogt come from?
The last name Klaesvogt is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and parts of northern Europe. The Klaesvogt name first derived from a pre 7th-century German personal name 'Claus' and the Anglo-Saxon element 'vocht' which translates to 'the fight'.
Klaesvogt is most prominently seen in Germany, with around 3,062 people carrying the surname in the country, and 1,869 people living in Berlin. The surname is less common in the Netherlands, with just 728 people bearing the Klaesvogt name. Klaesvogt is also seen across Eastern Europe in countries such as Romania, Lithuania and Belarus.
Outside of Europe, Klaesvogt is most common in the United States, where it is most prominently found in the states of California, Texas, Illinois and New York. Those bearing the Klaesvogt name across America generally derive from German and Dutch ancestry.
The Klaesvogt name has also spread to South and Central America, most notably Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Brazil where it is seen among several of those countries’ native populations.
In total, as per records in the International Genealogical Index, the Klaesvogt name has been shared by at least 8,257 people all around the world today.
Variations of the surname Klaesvogt
The Klaesvogt surname is a Germanic and Dutch patronymic surname deriving from the Dutch given-name Claes, which is a variant of the German name Nicholas. It is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other areas of Europe, as well as in North America.
Variants of the name Klaesvogt include Kleesvogt and Klaassen. Additionally, the surname can be generated from the given-name Calvel, which is related to the Germanic name Ascalvis.
It is likely that people bearing the Klaesvogt surname were originally seafarers or fishermen or navigators. This is due to the sailor's name of Klapperman, which is a related variant. The word "vogt" is derived from the Dutch word voget, meaning to lead or guide and so the literal English translation of Klaesvogt is “Nicholas/Claes-guide”.
Spellings such as Klassen and Kleesvogt are also variations of the name that may have evolved over time. Other related patronymic surnames are Klaessens and Klaasuren, which are both derived from the given-name Claes.
The surname Klaesvogt has also become a surname of some note in North America, and its variants are used, such as Claasen and Klause. Notable people who bear the surname include Willem Klaesvogt van Boecop (1836–1900), a Dutch admiral and politician, and Christian Klaesvogt (1883–1966), a German therapist.
Famous people with the name Klaesvogt
- Axel Klaesvogt: German historian, advisor on many matters of German history and a full professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany since 2006
- Steffi Klaesvogt: German activist who is currently involved in a project for stimulating cultural inclusion through artistic collaboration
- Margarete Klaesvogt: German physician and researcher, known for her work in the field of medical genetics
- Konrad Klaesvogt: German businessman and entrepreneur, who is the founder and CEO of the Klaesvogt Group, which specializes in real estate development and investment
- Shinhan Klaesvogt: South Korean singer-songwriter, actress and television personality
- Sonja Klaesvogt: German Paralympic swimmer who competed at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Paralympics
- Hermann Klaesvogt: German chemist who was a pioneer in developing physical and electrochemical methods of measuring chemical equilibria, such as pH
- John Klaesvogt: American politician who served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate
- Walter Klaesvogt: German doctor and naturalist who wrote extensively about reptiles, birds, and amphibians in the 19th century