Surname Kleße - Meaning and Origin

Kleße: What does the surname Kleße mean?

The surname Kleße is of German origin and can be found throughout the German-speaking areas of Central Europe. Although its exact origin is not known, it is believed to be derived from the Old German 'klessen', meaning 'clamp' or 'nursling'. This suggests that it was initially a nickname for someone who - metaphorically - gripped things firmly, or was a cradle baby.

Kleße is primarily found in north-western Germany, with the highest concentrations of individuals with this surname in Westphalia and Sauerland. The earliest record of the surname comes from 1571, when Conrad Kleße was listed in documents in the Mecklenburg region.

In modern Germany, the surname is most commonly associated with entrepreneurs, particularly those in rural areas and those involved in agricultural businesses. It is also associated with academics - particularly those specializing in engineering and physics.

If you look at any maps of Germany featuring concentrations of Kleße families, you’ll see a mix of urban and rural areas, suggesting that the surname has also spread. As one of Germany’s most common surnames, with an estimated 18,000 current bearers, the spread of the Kleße family, its history, and its meanings will no doubt continue.

Kleße: Where does the name Kleße come from?

The last name Kleße or Kless is a German name, indicating that it originated from the German region. It is quite rare today, although it does appear somewhat frequently throughout Germany, especially in the Northern and Western regions. There are also pockets of Kless families in the United States, especially in the Midwestern and Eastern states. In the US, the most concentrated areas tend to be around large cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

Kless is a patronymic name, derived from the first name of the bearer's father. It is typically of an occupational origin, derived from the Old German word “klassa”, referring to someone who was distinguished by physical strength. This could have been a soldier, or a farmer who was physically strong enough to work the land.

Kless is also found in various other countries such as Austria and Prussia, and can resemble other surnames in the same areas such as Kliese and Klesener. In some populated areas, the pronunciation and spelling may have changed over time; Kless is still fairly recognizable in Germany, but in other countries and regions, it may have evolved to become something completely different.

Overall, the last name Kleße is considered to be of German origin, although it may have spread to other countries due to migration over the centuries. Today, it is fairly uncommon in comparison to other Germanic names, although it is still quite recognizable in certain areas of Germany, the US, and other countries.

Variations of the surname Kleße

The surname Kleße is of German origin. It is derived from the name Kläger, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a plaintiff or litigant. Variants of the surname include Kleß, Kless, Klessen, Kleßmann, Klessmann, Kläßner, Klessner, Klässe, and Klasse. In addition, Anglicized versions of the name may include Cless, Claess, Claesser, Claisse, Claise, Claiser, and Claisse.

Kleße may also be seen as a diminutive or alternative form of the name Klose, which has the same origin but denotes a locksmith as the original bearer of the name. Variants of this name include Klos, Klosen, Kloseck, Kloß, Kloßen, Kloßmann, Klosman, Klosemann, Clos, Close, Closen, Closmann, and Closemann.

The Kleße surname can also be an alternate way of spelling the Dutch name Kleijssen. This name also has its roots in the German Kläger and has similar variants such as Kleijsen, Kleijssen, and Kleijsman.

Regardless of the version, the Kleße surname is associated with a plaintiff or litigant, locksmith, or Dutch variant. It is an uncommon name of German origin, though its variants are seen more widely throughout Europe.

Famous people with the name Kleße

• Uwe Klesse: Uwe Klesse is a German business executive who is best known for serving as the CEO of the Aldi-Süd supermarket chain from 2002 to 2016.
• Anita Kleße: Anita Kleße is a German cyclist who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Lothar Kleße: Lothar Kleße is a former East German football defender who achieved success with teams including FC Carl Zeiss Jena and SV Dynamo.
• Anja Klesse: Anja Klesse is a German rower. She competed in the Women's Quadruple Sculls event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
• Christian Kleße: Christian Kleße is a former East German football forward, and currently a manager.
• Uwe Klesse: Uwe Klesse is a German professional basketball coach and former player. He was a head coach with Bremerhaven and Nürnberg in Germany.
• Frank Klesse: Frank Klesse is a German football manager and former player.
• Simon Klesse: Simon Klesse is a German football goalkeeper, currently playing with SC Paderborn 07.
• Werner Kleße: Werner Kleße is a German football coach.

Other surnames

Kleßen