Surname Klewes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Klewes: What does the surname Klewes mean?
The last name Klewes is of German origin and is derived from the surname Klieb which is derived from the German word klieben meaning "to divide, balk, partition, or fence off." The surname is found throughout Germany, however, it is particularly prominent in the areas of Saxony and Brandenburg.
Klieb was initially used as a name given to someone who built wooden enclosures or fences. It later spread to those who farmed the land, as fencing was necessary to create pastures and create distinct plots of land. The meaning of Klewes ultimately suggests a certain degree of social and financial success of its ancestors.
The variation of Klewes has expanded over the years and now includes Klewe, Kleweck, Klewecke, Klewer, Klewez, Klewise, Klewiz, Klewitz, and Kllywez. In the United States, the name is most commonly encountered in the state of Michigan, where the descendants of a German family with the Klewer surname settled in the late 1800s.
The Klewes family name lives on today with its members holding the distinction of being part of a long bloodline with connections to Germany’s rich culture and history. Many of those with the Klewes last name can trace their roots back to a particular region in Germany and even to a specific occupation of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKlewes: Where does the name Klewes come from?
The last name Klewes is most commonly found in Germany today. Its roots trace back to a German place-name, Kleve, named after the nearby river or possibly meaning "clay pit". The earliest known record of the surname dates back to 1501 in the Regensburg region of Bavaria, Germany. It is unclear what the original occupational tag was associated with this name, but Klewe is a frequent variation.
The history of the Klewes family is most closely tied to the Lower Rhine region, leading to many individuals with this surname still living there today. The name also migrated east with some early settlers to the eastern regions of German-speaking Europe, where it is still encountered. One example of eastern migration is the Lüneburg Klewes family, who can be traced back from the 17th century.
In modern times, Klewes is still very common in Germany, though it is also found in small numbers in other countries. It is found with sturdy frequency in countries that historically have had significant German-speaking populations such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. There are also a few scattered individuals bearing the name as far away as Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Klewes
The surname Klewes (or Klewe) is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German word “klewes”, which translates literally to “brave.” It has been found in records in Northern Germany from as early as the 13th century, primarily in the Lower Saxony region.
The variants of the German surname Klewes are Klewe, Kliwes, Kliwesen, Kliws, Kliwsen, Kloewes, Klewesen, Klews, Clewes, Klewis, Kleece, Clews, Kleeves, Kliewes and Cliewes. In addition, variants of the German pronunciation Klooh-us are Clouse, Clowes, Clawes and Klewies.
In some instances, the name is spelled Clews. It is likely derived from the Dutch pronunciation of Klewes, which is pronounced as “Klaoh-us”. In other instances, the name is spelled Klewe or Klooh-us.
In the United States, the surnames Kloih-us and Clowes have become common variants. The name Kliwesen has also been found in records of U.S. immigrants.
Other spellings of the name include Cliwes, Klewisse, Kleweis, Klewie, Cliews, Kleive, and Kliewe.
The surname Klewes is still common in Northern Germany, but has been shortened in spelling, pronunciation, and meaning in other parts of Germany and in other countries. Surnames which have the same origin as Klewes include Klevis, Kliwce, Klois, Kline, Klis and Kleweiss.
Famous people with the name Klewes
- Robert Klewes: German television director and screenwriter.
- Kyle Klewes: American Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Bret Klewes: American musical artist and producer.
- Louis Klewes: British World War II Air Vice-Marshal and author.
- Frei Otto Klewes: German architect and structural engineer.
- Don Klewes: American Major League Baseball scouting director.
- Alex Klewes: American screenplay writer and actor.
- Dr. Jaap Klewes: Dutch pediatrician and professor of palliative care.
- Frederik Klewes: Dutch fashion designer and art director.
- Henning Klewes: German broadcaster, actor, and comedian.