Surname Klar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
A Deep Dive into my Ancestry through iGENEA DNA Test: Exploring the German Roots of the Surname Klar
The comprehensive DNA testing by iGENEA offered intricate insights into my familial background, deep ancestry, and geographic origins, primarily focusing on the roots of my surname, Klar. The bespoke genetic tests, using Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA testing techniques, profoundly improved my understanding of my unique family history, validating my belief in our German ancestry.
Y. Klar
read moreKlar: What does the surname Klar mean?
The last name Klar is of German origin, and is derived from the German words “klar,” which translate to “clear” or “bright.” It can be found as a surname both in Germany and the United States.
Klar is typically thought of as an occupational surname, as it is commonly associated with people who made things of clarity and precision, such as lenses and clocks. It often connotes professions related to the assembly or repair of optically or mechanically precise items. It is possible that some holders of the surname Klar had roles as optical instrument makers, clockmakers, opticians, or engravers.
The name can also indicate descents from individuals once known for their clear-sightedness, or keen intellect. It is possible that some with the name Klar received their surname from ancestors who resolved great mysteries, or acted appropriately in difficult situations.
Today, the name Klar is most frequently encountered in the United States. Examples of modern-day bearers of the name can be found in cities such as Florida, Maryland, Michigan, and California. Regardless of how the original bearer of the name earned their last name Klar, it is clear that the name connotes mental acuity, precision, and insight.
Order DNA origin analysisKlar: Where does the name Klar come from?
The last name Klar is most commonly found in the areas of Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. It is rare in other parts of the world.
In Austria, the Klar name is especially common in the small towns of Stockerau, Graz, Vienna, and Linz. In Germany, the last name is mostly concentrated in western regions such as Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, and Baden-Wurttemberg. People with the surname Klar have been widely dispersed in Hungary due to its proximity to Austria.
In Poland, the surname is quite common in Mazovia, Lublin, Masovian Voivodship, and Silesia. The Russian Federation is also home to a significant number of people bearing the surname Klar, particularly in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The same can be said for Ukraine, with the surname being quite common in the Eastern regions such as Donetsk and Lugansk.
Finally, the last name Klar is also present in the Czech Republic, primarily in the southwestern and eastern regions.
Overall, the last name Klar is uncommon in large parts of the world, except for the eastern regions of Europe.
Variations of the surname Klar
The surname Klar can have various spellings, variants and surnames derived from the same origin. Early spellings of the surname Klar include Klare, Claro, Klaer, Kleer, Klaar and Klaer. Some other spellings include Klaarer, Klaere, Klarer, Klaren and Klair. Other forms of the surname Klar have been derived from multiple European countries, such as Klahre, Kleer and Klaas, from Germany, Klehr and Klause, from Austria, and Clar and Cler, from France, Clarin from Italy, Klaar from The Netherlands, Clary and Claro from Spain, and Claria from Poland.
Variants and surnames derived from Klar include Clary, Clario, Claro, Claros, Klarus, Kler, Kley, Kleyer, Kleja, Kloer, Kloere, Kloerigh, Klore, Klor, Klose and Klus.
Klar may be derived from a Middle High German word meaning ‘clear’ or ‘obvious’ and was likely initially an occupational surname, given to a person who held a position of authority or trust. For example, a Klar or Klaer could have been a messenger in the Middle Ages. It is also possible that the surname Klar could have derived from the pre-seventeenth century German verb klar meaning ‘celebrate’ or ‘play’, as it was a popular name given to a loved one by way of celebration.
In addition, the surname Klar may have derived from the Middle High German word "klai", which means "brick or tile". This suggests that those with the surname Klar might have been masons in the Medieval Period. Furthermore, it is possible that the surname Klar originated from the old Polish word "klasztor" meaning ‘monastery’, suggesting that an ancestor of the Klar family may have been a monk.
In conclusion, the surname Klar can take various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin, derived from multiple countries and countries. It is possible that the surname may be derived from an occupation, such as a messenger; a celebratory name; or else from an old Polish word meaning ‘monastery’.
Famous people with the name Klar
- Yigal Klar: Israeli military commander
- André Klar: French-American Bishop of the Catholic Church
- Vlado Klar: Slovak politician and former Prime Minister of Slovakia
- Diran Klar: German-Armenian ethnologist and author
- Jean-Claude Klar: Swiss professional chess grandmaster
- Lilli Klar: Swiss classical pianist
- Peter Klar: German actor and director
- Anja Klar: German opera singer
- John Klar: American lawyer and political candidate
- Lillia Klar: Israeli paraclimber