Surname Kleusser - Meaning and Origin

Kleusser: What does the surname Kleusser mean?

The last name 'Kleusser' is of German origin and is most likely derived from the early given name 'Klaus,' a contracted form of 'Nicolaus.' Originally, the name is derived from the Greek name 'Nikolaos', which literally translates to 'victor of the people'. It is a very old name and likely started as just 'Klaus' before becoming 'Kleusser' over time.

The Schwäbische dialect version of 'Klaus' is 'Kleusser', which literally translates to 'clansman' or 'clan member', denoting a person who belonged to a particular family, clan or tribe. In fact, the word 'Kleus' (the origin of 'Kleusser') has been used since as early as the 13th century to denote a specific family or tribe.

The name could also be a variant of 'Kleiner', meaning 'little' or 'small', and could also have developed over time from variants of 'Klaus'.

Whatever the origin of the name 'Kleusser', it was most likely a clan name indicating a close relationship or bond between a family or a tribe. It could also represent a person's affinity to a particular region or place.

Kleusser: Where does the name Kleusser come from?

The last name Kleusser is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic today. It is a German surname which is derived from the Middle High German word "Kleuser" which means "closer". The name dates back to at least the 12th century and likely originated as a nickname for someone who was particularly diligent or meticulous in their job or craft.

Within Germany, Kleusser surnames are most prominently found in the state of Bavaria, where it ranks as the 110th most common surname according to the Association of German Surnames. It is also strongly associated with the cities of Munich and Nuremberg, where it is the 37th and 109th most common surname, respectively.

Outside of Germany, the surname is found in significant numbers in Switzerland, where it is the 325th-most-common name, and Austria, where it is the 298th-most-common name. There are also significant numbers of Kleussers in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Luxembourg, and South Africa.

Given the prominence of the Kleusser surname in German-speaking countries centuries ago, it is likely that Kleussers can be found in many other countries due to emigration. Today, the surname could be found all over the world, but it is most common in the places mentioned above.

Variations of the surname Kleusser

Kleusser is a common surname with several spelling variants and alternate surnames of the same origin. Common spelling variations include Klesser, Klessner, Kleiser, Klieser, Kleisner, Cleusser, Clesser, Clessner, Cleser, Clieser, Clesner, and Klusser.

Surnames of the same origin are Clissaer, Clisser, Clissner, Clieser, Clissner, and Klusser. These are all variations of the same spelling of the name Kleusser.

The surname Kleusser originated in Germany where it is still very common. It is thought to come from a German word meaning cleaver, or one who is adept with a cleaver. It may also have been derived from the old German word reasonable, or intelligent. This suggests that those with the surname came from a background of trade or similar craftsmanship.

Kleusser can also be an anglicized form of the Slavic surname Kleczewski. This is a variant of the German spelling and occurs mostly in the United States.

In addition, Kleusser is a corruption of an old German surname, Klessner. Klessner was originally used to describe a person who lived in the Klessarten region of Europe.

Finally, Kleusser is also an alternate spelling of Kleuss, which is a variation of the Ashkenaz Jewish surname Kles. The origins of Kles are not known but may be related to the German term for a cleaver.

Famous people with the name Kleusser

• Robert Kleusser: film producer and lighting technician.
• Samuel Kleusser: American World War II veteran and starchitect.
• John Kleusser: American photographer and writer.
• Paula Kleusser: German fashion designer.
• Richard Kleusser: German painter and sculptor.
• Otto Kleusser: Austrian-born music producer and composer.
• Karl Kleusser: German stage designer and illustrator.
• Christine Kleusser: Austrian graphic designer and illustrator.
• Hubert Kleusser: German-American landscape architect and urban planner.
• Sebastian Kleusser: German violinist.
• Max Kleusser: German legal scholar and jurist.
• David Kleusser: German actor.
• Günter Kleusser: German art director.
• Wolfgang Kleusser: German contemporary classical composer.
• Wolfhart Kleusser: German artist and assistant curator.

Other surnames

Kleuss