Surname Clajus - Meaning and Origin
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Clajus: What does the surname Clajus mean?
The last name Clajus is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "kleis," meaning "lock." It is a metonymic occupational surname which originally referred to a locksmith or a person who made and repaired locks and keys. It likely originated amongst the early Germanic settlers of the medieval era.
The surname is also associated with the German noble family of the same name. The family was first documented in 1303, when a Konrad de Clais was mentioned in the records of the medieval Swabian Empire. They received the title of "Imperial Freiherrn von Kleyß" from Rudolf I, King of Germany, in 1276. This title was bestowed upon them in recognition of the family's contribution to the ruling family, particularly their support in holding power.
The Clajus family lived in various Germanic regions during the Middle Ages, and many members of the family achieved high social positions. Arnold Clajus, for example, served as the court astronomer to the King of Prussia and is remembered for his book on Euclidian geometry.
The Clajus coat of arms is composed of three crossed keys, a traditional symbol of the profession of locksmith. It is one of the most prominent and popular noble emblem in Germany.
Today, the surname Clajus is still fairly common throughout Germany. It is also used by numerous families in other parts of Europe and North America, particularly in Canada and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisClajus: Where does the name Clajus come from?
The last name Clajus is of German origin. It is most commonly found in modern Germany, where it was first recorded in the thirteenth century. It is also found in other countries with strong German roots, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. However, it can now also be found in countries all over the world, thanks to migration of German settlers and the spread of German culture.
In the United States, the name Clajus is most common in the Midwestern states, such as Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It is also present in states with higher concentrations of German-Americans, such as Pennsylvania, as well as states with higher immigrant populations, such as California and New York. Meanwhile, in Canada, the name can be found mainly in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The name Clajus is also present in other parts of the world, such as France, where it was brought by Germans who settled there in the early 19th century. It can also be found in countries across South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, due to German immigration to these countries. In Australia and New Zealand, it is also relatively common, likely due to the large number of German migrants that arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, while the name Clajus may be most commonly associated with Germany, the name has spread across the world due to the global reach of German culture and migration.
Variations of the surname Clajus
The surname Clajus has many variant spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. It is commonly found spelled as Clauss, Claussen, Klees, Kless, Cleus, Clajus, Claeus, Klauss, Klaussen, Kleiss, Kleyss, Claes, Klauß, Kleus, Klees (Kleesen), Klein, Kleiss, Klajus, and Kleyß. Additionally, spelling variants such as Klajus, Kleus, Kleesen, Klauß, Klass, Klauss and Kleiss are also found.
The origin of the Clajus surname is German in origin and is derived from the word 'claus' which translates to 'closed'. This ultimately refers to a person who was either a locksmith or a jailer. It can also be used to refer to someone who kept their thoughts and emotions guarded or internally sealed.
In the Netherlands, the Clajus surname is less common and may be spelled as Claes, Cleus, Claeus or Klaes. The German word 'Klee' or 'Kleis' is another variant found in this region, and it refers to someone who is a jeweler or silversmith. Additionally, the spelling Kleiss can mean a person who lives near a vine or from a place where clay is extracted.
The spelling variation Kleyss can also be found in Germany and refers to someone who lives near a hill or small mountain. Similarly, the surname Klees is also found in Germany and is derived from the word 'Klee' which means clover.
In Scotland, the surname Clajus is most commonly found spelled as Clauss, Claussen or Klees. It is derived from the Old English word 'clauss' which translates to 'enclosure'. This is often used to refer to a tenant or someone who was living in an enclosed property.
Overall, the surname Clajus has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, depending on its geographic location.
Famous people with the name Clajus
- Max Clajus: composer, graduated from the Academy of Music and Theatre in Leipzig.
- Wayne Lynn Clajus: American bass singer
- Ulrike Clajus: German graphics designer, painter and illustrator
- Walter Clajus: former senior executive of Swiss Reinsurance Company
- Ruediger Clajus: German steamship master and ship master
- Peter Clajus: German artist, photographer and award-winning sculptor
- Erna Clajus: German-Canadian researcher in Education
- Heinz Clajus: German author, historian and professor
- Friedrich Clajus: Fremsburg mayor
- Johann Clajus: 16th century theologian and Protestant reformer