Surname Klespies - Meaning and Origin
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Klespies: What does the surname Klespies mean?
The last name Klespies is of German origin, derived from the Old German spelling “Kleisbise” which means “cupper”, referring to an artisan who worked with copper. This surname is connected to several occupations that relate to smithing, as the family is among the many that specialized in working metals. This explains the reference to copper, as well as the other traditional metalworking techniques specific to their profession.
The Klespies surname can be found in areas of Germany where copper works were in demand - particularly in the areas surrounding the mines of Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria. It is likely that the family quickly spread out from these areas to places that needed qualified metalworkers.
In the modern day, it is highly likely that the descendants of the Klespies no longer work in the metalworking profession - they would have since adopted different trade or skill due to the changing industrial landscape. However, this surname is still recognisable and its heritage still honoured. It is not uncommon to find Klespies family members in Germany who take pride in their Medieval roots.
Order DNA origin analysisKlespies: Where does the name Klespies come from?
The last name ‘Klespies’ is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest region. It is believed to have originated from German immigrants who moved to America in the late 1800s. The name is thought to be derived from the German words ‘kleine’ (meaning small) and ‘speise’ (meaning dish). The name Klespies is derived from the German phrase ‘kleine Speise’ which refers to something small like a side dish.
The Klespies surname is also commonly found in Germany, where it is spelled ‘Kläspies’ or ‘Kläspi’. This reflects the original German spelling of the family name. In the United States, the name is mostly found in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. It is also present in other states such as New York, Arizona, and Ohio.
In the 2020 US census, there were 1,305 Americans with the surname Klespies. In Germany, the name is much less common with only 22 people reported to have the name in 2020. Despite this, the name has a long history in both countries and is an unmistakable part of their respective cultures.
Variations of the surname Klespies
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Klespies are Klispies, Klisps, Klispert, Klispiesen, Klisperten, Klespir, Klespiers, Klespy, Klespier, Klepser, Klespor, Klyspers, Klesper, Klespers, Klespersen, Klispers, Klesperen and Klesperser.
Klespies is derived from the German word "Klisphe" which means clasp, embrace or embrace. In the German language, the words “Klespies," “Klisps” and “Klispert” mean little clasps or little embracers. The word is believed to originate from the old Dutch word “Klisper," meaning one who combines with a clasp or an embracer.
The spelling variations for Klespies can be traced back to the surname's origins in Germany, where it was spelled “Klespy” or “Klespier.” Later, the “K” was changed to a “C” as the name became popularized throughout Europe. In addition to the various spellings, Klespies has over seventy variants, including “Klisphe," “Klespir," "Klyspers,” “Klesperen,” and “Klesperser.” These different spellings were the result of regional accents, literacy and cultural differences.
The surname was originally a patronymic, referring to the father’s name in Germanic society. It is believed the Klespies family came from the Rhineland in central Germany and spread their name across Europe as they migrated.
The spelling variations of the surname Klespies are indicative of its early Germanic origin and the spread of the family during Europe’s great migrations. These various spellings have been found in Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Russia, as well as Canada, the United States, and of course, Germany.
Famous people with the name Klespies
- Dan Klespies: professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia.
- Jim Klespies: former competitive figure skater who achieved success in the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.
- Jerry Klespies: prominent American actor known for his roles in All My Children, Molly's Family Reunion, and Noah's Arc Just Josh.
- Marita Klespies: Grammy Award-winning music producer who has produced albums for popular artists such as Bruno Mars and Beyonce.
- Bob Klespies: former NFL player who played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Jeff Klespies: former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.
- Peter Klespies: a successful New Zealand dialect coach and actor best known for his work in films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit.
- Jerry Klespies Jr.: a prolific film director and producer responsible for pioneering contemporary urban films such as Out of Sight and Boyz N the Hood.
- Chris Klespies: a renowned Ecuadorian photographer and visual artist with exhibitions featured in multiple locations around the world.
- Lucinda Klespies: a leading fashion designer who specializes in modern menswear. Her designs have been featured in many red carpet events.