Surname Kleessen - Meaning and Origin

Kleessen: What does the surname Kleessen mean?

Kleessen is a Dutch family name, sometimes spelled Klessen or Kliesen. It is derived from the Dutch word ‘kleissen’ which once meant ‘to cut’ or ‘to tinkle’. This may indicate a profession such as blacksmith or locksmith being held by the first family who adopted this surname.

The surname Kleessen first appears in Nunspeet, in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands around the mid 1500s. The original location of the family remained in Nunspeet until the 1800s when families began to spread out from the small village and settle in other areas.

In the present day, the name Kleessen is still distributed throughout the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. It is predominantly found in the Netherlands, especially in the province of Gelderland where the family originated.

Kleessen is a distinct surname, and its long history of traditional use is sure to have influenced its etymology. The connection to a meaningful trade or occupation of the past is also indicative of the honor and respect those first few individuals surely deserved.

Kleessen: Where does the name Kleessen come from?

The last name Kleessen is believed to be mainly of German origin, although there may be other sources. It is a very common surname in Germany today, and also in other nearby countries, such as the Netherlands and Belgium. In Germany, it is most commonly found in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, although it is spread across the entire country. Additionally, Kleessen is a frequent surname in parts of the United States, Canada, and South America, with communities in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico making up the largest concentrations of those with the last name. It can also be found across Australia and New Zealand. People with the Kleessen last name can also be found in scattered parts of the U.K., living in counties such as Yorkshire and Bedfordshire.

Variations of the surname Kleessen

Kleessen is a German surname derived from the given name Klas, which was a popular name in Germany during the Middle Ages. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is suggested that it may have derived from the old German word “klasi,” which means “clarity” or “honesty.” The variants, spellings, and other surnames of similar origin for Kleessen include Klasen, Klässen, Kleiss, Kleisz, Kleiser, Klessen, Kloess, Kloessen, Kleisson, Klesen, Kleson, and Klessinger.

Kleessen is also a combination of the given name Claas, which was popular among Germans of the Netherlands. Variants and other surnames of similar origin for Claas include Clasen, Claessen, Clauss, Clausson, Clauß, Kläss, Klässen, Clesson, Klaas, Klaes, Klaassen, Klaess, Klaesson, Kleß, Kleßen, and Kleßer.

Additionally, Kleessen may also be a variant of Kleyssen, which is derived from the given name Cleys, a variant of the Dutch given name Klaas. Variants, spellings, and other surnames of similar origin for Kleyssen include Cleessen, Cleison, Cleyson, Klessen, Kleyse, Kleyssen, Kleysen, Kliese, Kliesen, and Kliessen.

Finally, Kleessen is a variant of Klesmann, which is a combination of the given name Claus and the German suffix “-mann,” which means “man” or “person.” Variants, spellings, and other surnames of similar origin for Klesmann include Klasmann, Kleismann, Kleser, Klesser, Klesman, Kliesmann, and Kliessman.

Famous people with the name Kleessen

• Benedikt Kleessen: World Cup Nordic Combine skier
• Joost Kleessen: Member of United Nations Development Programme's Conference of National Parliamentarians on the Environment
• Klaus Kleessen: German-Canadian philosopher
• Manfred Kleessen: Member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament
• Patrick Kleessen: German footballer
• Peter Kleessen: Dutch alpine skier
• Ralf Kleessen: German judoka
• Sander Kleessen: Member of the Dutch House of Representatives
• Verena Kleessen: Former winner of the German National Paralympic Athletics Championship
• Willem-Pieter Kleessen: Member of the Dutch House of Representatives

Other surnames

Kleess