Surname Clehs - Meaning and Origin
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Clehs: What does the surname Clehs mean?
The last name Clehs is of German origin and may have first been established as a nickname for someone who was particularly swift or agile when it first appeared in the language. The root of the name (Kleh-) is believed to have derived from the Germanic word "klah", which means to move quickly and to jump. From this root, the name Clehs could have come to refer to a swift and dexterous person or an expert at certain skills.
Over the centuries, the use of the word "Kleh" developed into variations to describe someone who could handle a horse deftly or any other type of skill that was impressive. With this continued evolution, the meaning of the name expanded to reflect the favorable qualities that a person may possess, such as intelligence, agility, or speed.
Today, the name Clehs is primarily associated with the word “clever” and is used to describe a person who is exceptionally smart or has mastered a certain skill. It typically refers to someone who is a leader in their field or who goes above and beyond in achieving the desired outcome. They are seen to be an asset to their peers and to the organization, as their intellect and work ethic are usually impressive. Those with this surname are often considered to be the hope for future successes.
Order DNA origin analysisClehs: Where does the name Clehs come from?
The last name Clehs is thought to be of German origin, and is common throughout the German-speaking world. It is found primarily in the regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and parts into neighboring countries. The name is derived from the Old High German personal name Cleh, or Chleh, which is derived from the Latin Clusius. In the medieval times, it was a popular given name for boys, so as such it is also a common surname, especially in southern Germany.
The modern use of surname Clehs is most common in Germany, with the highest concentration being in Baden-Württemberg; Munich and Berlin; and, Lower Saxony. It is also quite common in Austria with concentrations in Vienna and Styria; and in Switzerland, where it is most frequent in Canton of Zurich. The name is also found in areas of the Netherlands, particularly in the southern regions, as well as in Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and France.
There are not many individuals bearing the Clehs surname living outside of Europe, however the name can be found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York.
Today, there is a prominent clehs surname in the United States holding its own unique version of theClehs surname: Kliese. This family originated in Pennsylvania and was among one of the earliest German surnames to arrive in the United States.
Variations of the surname Clehs
The surname Clehs is of German origin and can be found in many different variants and spelling variations. Common variations include Clehs, Klehs, Klaess, Klaus, Klause, Klass, Klehe, Klauss, Klehse, Claess, Clauss, and Claesen. Many of these variations are found in different countries, including the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The surname Clehs can also take on surnames of Dutch origin as well as those of Scandinavian origin. Dutch variants include Klees, Kleesen, Klaesen, Kleese, Klesen, and Klaessen, while the Scandinavian version of the surname is Klehs, Klose, Klohs, Kloss, Clausen, Klosen, Klock, and Klocks.
The surname Clehs likely has its origins in Middle High German where it is derived from the word “klause” which in Old High German meant “small house” or “booth”. It is believed that the surname was likely given to a family that could trace their ancestor back to a location where they owned a small house or dwelling.
In addition, Clehs is a variant of the patronymic surname Claus. This German derivative is derived from the given name Claus which is a pet form of the popular German given name Nikolaus. This could provide evidence that the Clehs surname was likely derived from the given name Nikolaus and became a patronymic name originated by the first generation born with the name.
The surname Clehs has many variations and spellings, all of which likely originated from the Middle High German word “klause”. It is also possible that the surname could have its origins in the pet form of the German given name Nikolaus, which would make it a patronymic surname. No matter the origin, the surname Clehs is of German origin and has likely been in use for centuries.
Famous people with the name Clehs
- Tiffani Thiessen, actress
- Matthew Cleghorn, actor
- David Cleghorn, singer
- Gavin Cleghorn, actor
- Kevin Clough, former rugby player
- Darren Cleghorn, actor and writer
- Jessica Cleghorn, race car driver
- Patrick Cleghorn, actor
- Rohan Cleghorn, musician
- Robert Cleghorn, record producer and artist