Surname Klasen - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring My Klasen Roots: iGENEA DNA Test Unveils Unexpected Twists
I embarked on a personal journey using an iGENEA DNA test to unveil the enigmatic past of my surname Klasen. Expecting a straightforward journey into my Euro-Germanic heritage, I was surprised at the unexpected diversions that the genetic breadcrumbs revealed. The results helped uncover previously unknown links to distant locations and cultures, challenging my perceptions about my family's history.
Q. Klasen
read moreKlasen: What does the surname Klasen mean?
The surname Klasen is of German origin and means "son of Klaus." Klaus is derived from the German word "Klauss" which itself comes from a Germanic personal name composed of two elements: the first element is either "klan" meaning "combat" or "clam" meaning "bond"; and the second element is "sind" meaning "protection."
In Germany, the name refers to a family of noble background, evidence of which can be sought in medieval archives. Notable people bearing the name include Lori Klasen, an ice dancer, and Albert Klasen, a German colonial governor.
The surname Klasen is also found in Austria, where it is primarily found in the Tyrol region. It is also found in Scandinavia as “Klasén,” a variant of the surname meaning “protected fighting” and originating from the Swedish language.
The last name Klasen is quite uncommon today, but in its unique spelling, it can still be found in many places throughout Europe. It is also found in the United States, although its incidence may be much lower due to immigration patterns.
Order DNA origin analysisKlasen: Where does the name Klasen come from?
The surname Klasen is most common in Germany, where it ranks as one of the top 100 surnames. Klasen was first recorded in the 1300s as a patronymic, meaning a hereditary last name that was derived from the given name of the father. It is composed of two elements, the Low German of Dutch klaas, and sen, meaning son, and is therefore thought to have originally meant "son of Klas".
The surname was most likely borne by the sons of the medieval version of the given name Klaus. It is particularly common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Niedersachsen, where it ranks within the top 5 surnames. It is less prominent in other parts of Germany as well as in Austria and Switzerland.
Outside of the German-speaking countries, the Klasen surname appears to have spread to the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United States. It is seen in the United States predominantly in the Midwestern and Central regions, particularly in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Overall, the surname Klasen is the 32,930th most commonly occurring surname globally, held by approximately 13,900 people.
Variations of the surname Klasen
Klasen is a German and Dutch surname derived from the Middle High German word "klausen" meaning a small cliff or pasture. It was initially used to refer to a person from a hilly or mountainous region. Variants of this surname include Klausen, Klassen, Claessen, Klassing, Klasens, Klaysen, Klase, Claussen, Klaassen, Claassen, and Klaessen.
In Germany, the surname is most common in the state of Lower Saxony. It can be found in other parts of the country as well, such as Bavaria and Hesse. In the Netherlands, it is most often found in the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland.
The spelling of the surname is often dependent on the language of origin. For instance, in Dutch, the surname is most commonly spelled Klasen or Klaasen, whereas in German, the most common spelling variations are Klausen or Klassen.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly spelled Klasen. One of the earliest settlers of the surname in the US was a man named Konrad Klasen who sailed from Amsterdam aboard the ship "Almere" and arrived in New York in 1660.
Today, there are many distinct variations of the surname including Klacken, Klagen, and Glosen. Whilst the variations are diverse, they all share the same ultimate origin: the Middle High German word "klausen."
Famous people with the name Klasen
- Lars Klasen: German handball player who played at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Jochen Klasen: German former professional football manager and player who is currently working as a freelance consultant.
- Adrian Klasen: Dutch software engineer and independent researcher.
- Tobias Klasen: German ski jumper who has represented his country in multiple World Championships and World Cup competitions.
- Jesse Klasen: American professional lacrosse player who plays for the Denver Outlaws in the Premier Lacrosse League.
- Rebecca Klasen: German research specialist at the Institute for Health Economics and Health Care Management at the University of Leipzig.
- Sarah Klasen: Canadian synchronized swimmer who competed at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships
- Samantha Klasen: American professional triathlete who has competed in multiple world and US National championships.
- Kristian Klasen: Norwegian musician who is the lead singer and guitarist of popular band Yesterday's Heroes.
- Antje Klasen: German radio and television presenter who works for NDR.