Surname Kleiß - Meaning and Origin
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Kleiß: What does the surname Kleiß mean?
The last name Kleiß (also spelled Kleiss, Kleyss, or Klöss) is an occupational surname of German origin derived from the Middle High German cleiß or clese, meaning “key maker.” This is a reference to the job of a key maker, which involves creating and fashioning specialized keys for specific locks.
The earliest record of the surname dates back to the 1500s when Hainricus Cleiss is listed as a locksmith in the city of Marbach. This is indicative of the long history of the Kleiß name being linked to that profession.
Today, the Kleiß surname is still largely associated with locksmithing, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Central to Northern European countries. It is estimated that there are currently over 5,000 people currently bearing the Kleiß surname.
The Kleiß name in German is often seen as a source of pride and honor as it is indicative of a long lineage of skilled artisans and craftsmen who are essential to the well-being and security of a community. Being associated with the Kleiß name often means adhering to high standards of craftsmanship, quality, and skill.
Order DNA origin analysisKleiß: Where does the name Kleiß come from?
The last name Kleiß is common today primarily in Germany, with some additional presence in Austria and Switzerland. According to a 2016 survey, there were approximately 9,500 individuals with the Kleiß surname living in Germany.
The Kleiß surname tends to be most common in the states of the former West Germany. In these states, Bavaria has the highest concentration of people with this name, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. In East Germany, the highest concentrations of Kleiß are in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Berlin.
There are some notable clusters of people with the Kleiß surname in certain areas. For example, there are several major clusters in Bavaria around Ansbach, Nürnberg, and Regensburg. Furthermore, some towns in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as Bochum and Bonn, also have a noticeable number of people with the Kleiß surname.
The origin of the Kleiß surname is not known for certain and various versions of its origin have been put forth. Some believe that it stems from a pet name, while others suggest it is derived from the german word "Klöß" which means dumpling.
Overall, the last name Kleiß is relatively widespread today, with most of its bearers residing in Germany. The Kleiß can often be found in clusters in certain areas of Germany, and its origin remains mysterious.
Variations of the surname Kleiß
The surnames Kleiß, Kleiss, Kleissinger, Kleissl, Kleis, Kleyss, Kleys, Kleissen, Kleyssing, Kleyß, Kleys, Kleyser and Kleyßinger all have the same origin. The origins of the surname Kleiß are found primarily in Germany.
The Kleiß family in Germany dates back as far as the 15th century. The name Kleiß can be found in various regions in Southwestern Germany. Records show that variants of the name such as Kleis, Kleyss and Kleyß could also be found in the area. The Kleiß family was also found in Austria and Hungary.
The meaning of the word ‘Kleiß’ is poorly documented but could derive from the Old High German word ‘kließ’ meaning ‘resolute’ or ‘stalwart’. Other theory suggests that the name could have come from the Old High German word ‘kliss’ meaning ‘small’ or ‘short’ and the diminutive form ‘-inger’ was appended in order to indicate a person with that quality.
The spelling of the surname also varies throughout the different regions. Kleiß is the original form of the name while Kleiss and Kleissinger are common variants. In newer variants, variations of the suffix ‘-ing’ such as ‘-ing’, ‘-singer, ‘-sig’ and ‘-ss’ can be found.
Many descendants of the original Kleiß family are still alive and well today. The surname is still found in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kleiß
- Jennifer Kleiß: German journalist and television presenter
- Nora Fingscheidt: German film director known for her critically acclaimed 2019 movie System Crasher
- Dirk Kleiß: former German footballer
- Jan-Philipp Kleiß: German sprinter
- Robin Kleiß: German footballer who currently plays for FC Schöneberg
- Albert Kleiß: German actor
- Torsten Kleiß: German football coach and former player
- Roland Kleisl: Austrian politician
- Jo Kleiß: award-winning photographer
- Andreas Kleiß: German attorney and legal scholar
- Rudolf Kleiß: German-American zoologist
- Robert Kleiss: German-American mathematician
- Klaus Kleiß: Head of viewpoint, philosophy and art history at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich
- Richard Kleiß: German historian
- Janina Kleiß: German mountain biker
- Stefanie Kleiß: German medical doctor and board member of the German Cancer Support Society (DKG)
- Lou Kleiß: French former footballer
- Horst Kleiß: German cyclist
- Doris Kleiß: German artist
- Martina Kleiss: German costume designer