Surname Kluhs - Meaning and Origin
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Kluhs: What does the surname Kluhs mean?
The last name Kluhs is thought to be of Germanic and/or Dutch origin, and is likely derived from the Middle High German word "klūt" or "kloͤw," meaning "hill.” It may have originated as a topographic name to refer to someone who lived on a hill, or it could refer to someone who lived near a particular hill. Over time, it was adopted as a noble or peasant surname.
In the Netherlands, Kluhs is found mostly in the northern and western parts of the country and is the 28th most common name there. In Germany, where it is more commonly spelled Klüs, the name is found primarily in the Brandenburg region and is the 180th most popular surname.
Although the origins of the Kluhs name are uncertain, its meaning is derived from the Germanic words for a hill. As with many surnames, this holds a special relevance and significance to the people who bear the name, representing their family’s long and proud history.
Order DNA origin analysisKluhs: Where does the name Kluhs come from?
The Kluhs surname originated in Germany and is a variation of the German surname Kleuss. It is most commonly found in the German states of Westfalen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hannover. The name is also found in other areas with a strong German heritage, such as the United States, Canada, and South Africa. In the United States, it is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
In terms of global distribution, the Kluhs surname is most common in Germany. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, it ranks 6,088th out of the top 10,000 surnames in Germany, with an estimated 5,950 people bearing the name. It also ranks 3,041st in the United States, with an estimated 657 people bearing the name. It ranks 4,033 in Canada, with an estimated 315 people bearing the name.
As for other countries with a strong German heritage, the name is ranked 5,259th in South Africa with an estimated 245 people bearing the name. It is also ranked 998th in Australia, with an estimated 814 people bearing the name.
Given the wide geographical distribution of Kluhs surname, it is likely to have many more unique variations. As with many surnames developed in one area, the spelling and pronunciation of the name gradually changed as it spread to different countries.
Variations of the surname Kluhs
The surname Kluhs has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations and forms of the surname include Klahs, Kleis, Klehs, Kluhse, Kluhske, Klusse, Kleese, Kluhs, Klus, Kluehs and Kluhsmann. The name is of German Silesian origin and derives from the Middle High German word “Kluhs”, which means a “shed”.
Kluhs is a patronymic name derived from the given name Kluh or Kleus, itself a diminutive form of a personal name beginning with Klaus (“victory”). It may have been given to a farmer or cottage dweller. In some cases, the surname may have been derived from residence in a village named Klehs. In some areas of Germany, the name may have been derived from a metonymic occupational name for a woodsman of some type.
The variants and other surnames derived from Kluhs mainly differ in spelling, though they may have some slight phonetic and linguistic variations. Variations of the name are found in Germany, Poland, as well as in the United States and other countries where German immigrants settled.
Kluhs is a relatively uncommon surname in most countries. In the United States, it is typically found in areas with large German-speaking populations such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Worldwide, the highest population density of the surname can be found in Germany.
For those researching their family histories, variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin associated with the surname Kluhs can provide clues to the family’s origins and migrations. Knowing the different variants and spellings associated with the surname can also be useful for making connections with other family members.
Famous people with the name Kluhs
- Gerd Kluhs: German industrialist, manufacturing executive and politician.
- Marlena Kluhs: German journalist and television presenter.
- Shannon Kluhs: American singer and songwriter.
- Eric Kluhs: German footballer who plays as a defender for Dynamo Dresden.
- Dominic Kluhs: German stand-up comedian, actor and YouTuber.
- Lena Kluhs: German actress and singer.
- Steward Kluhs: American basketball coach who has worked at Louisiana Tech and Texas Southern universities.
- Volker Kluhs: German doctor and politician-member of the Bundestag.
- Johann Kluhs: German bicycle racer and mountain biker.
- Joseph Kluhs: American music professor and conductor of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club.