Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Kloss

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Kloss?

The surname Kloss originates from Germany. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a cliff or rocky outcrop, derived from the Middle High German word "klos" meaning "rocky clearing." Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for a blacksmith, as in Old High German "kluzzo" means a hammer.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kloss

The meaning and origin of the last name Kloss

The surname Kloss is of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "klos" which means "clod" or "mass." Originally, this name was likely a topographic surname indicating someone who lived on a clod of land or a cleared piece of ground. Over time, it has also been associated with the Middle High German term "klozen," meaning to close, block up, or plug, potentially implying a profession related to construction or repair. The Kloss family name can be found in various regions of Germany and was brought to other parts of Europe and eventually North America by German immigrants during different periods, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kloss

The surname Kloss is predominantly found in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany and Austria, due to its origins from these regions. It is also present in other parts of Europe, such as Scandinavia and the Baltic states, where it may have been brought by Germans or as a result of historical migrations. In addition, descendants of German immigrants have carried the Kloss surname to various parts of the world, including North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the highest concentration of individuals with the Kloss surname can be found in states with significant German-American populations like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kloss

The surname Kloss has several variations and spellings due to differences in translation, transcription, and regional pronunciation over time. Some common variants include: Closs, Kloess, Clauss, Clossy, Klause, Claus, and Clausen. These variations may be found in different countries, with German being the most common origin for this surname. However, it's important to note that spelling variations can also occur due to factors such as changes in immigration policies, religious or cultural influences, and simple human error during record keeping. Therefore, individuals researching their family history may encounter multiple spellings of the Kloss surname.

Famous people with the last name Kloss

Notable individuals bearing the surname Kloss include:

1. Karlie Kloss: An American fashion model and entrepreneur. She started modeling at the age of 14 and has since walked for numerous high-profile designers, including Victoria's Secret and Calvin Klein. In addition to her modeling career, she is also a computer programmer and founded Kode With Klossy, an organization that empowers young women to learn coding skills.

2. Christoph Kloss: A German conductor, music director, and violinist. He has held numerous positions as principal conductor and artistic director with orchestras around the world, including the Hessische Staatskapelle in Wiesbaden and the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin.

3. Lukas Kloss: A professional footballer from Austria who plays for the Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger AC as a goalkeeper. He has also represented the Austrian national team at various youth levels.

Genealogical research on the last name Kloss

The surname Kloss originates from Germany and is a topographic name for someone who lived near a cliff or rocky outcrop, derived from Middle High German 'kluoz' meaning "cliff" or "rock." Variations in spelling include Klose, Klossner, and Claus. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Conradus de Cluse, who was documented in the 13th century in the region of Meissen, Saxony. The family migrated to other parts of Europe, including Denmark and Scandinavia, as well as to Russia. In the United States, the Kloss family settled primarily in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York during the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable individuals with the surname include photographer Pauline Trigère Kloss (1910-2006) and actor Henry A. Kloss (1915-2014).

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Kloble

Last name • surnames > kloble

The origin of the last name "Kloble" is not definitively known. It is possible that the name has Germanic origins, as it is similar to other German surnames such as "Klopf" or "Klo...

#2 Klock

Last name • surnames > klock

The last name "Klock" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "klocke," which means "bell" or "clock." People with the surname Klock likely had a connec...

#3 Klocker

Last name • surnames > klocker

The last name Klocker is of German origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "kloker," meaning a bell ringer or someone who worked with bells. The...

#4 Klode

Last name • surnames > klode

The surname Klode is of German origin. It derives from a topographical name for someone who lived near a clod or a lump of earth, from Middle High German "klode" meaning a clod. Al...

#5 Klodzinski

Last name • surnames > klodzinski

The surname Klodzinski is of Polish origin. It is derived from the topographic name for someone who lived near a small clearing (Polish: "kloda") in a forest or a swampy area. The ...

#6 Klok

Last name • surnames > klok

The surname Klok has multiple possible origins, depending on the specific region and historical context. 1. Dutch and German origin: In these regions, the name Klok could be a met...

#7 Klom

Last name • surnames > klom

The last name "Klom" is of Dutch origin, derived from the word 'klomp', which means 'wooden shoe' in Dutch. This surname likely originated as an occupational name for a maker or se...

#8 Klonig

Last name • surnames > klonig

The surname Klonig is believed to have German origins. It may derive from a variety of sources. One possibility is that it comes from a place name, such as Klonigen (a village in G...

#9 Kloo

Last name • surnames > kloo

The last name "Kloo" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch word "klooster," which means "monastery." The name likely originated as a topographic surname for someone who ...

#10 Klooss

Last name • surnames > klooss

The surname Kloos is believed to have Dutch and German origins. It comes from the Middle Dutch word "kloes" meaning "claw," which was used as a nickname for someone with a claw-lik...

#11 Klosa

Last name • surnames > klosa

The surname Klosa is of Polish and Czech origin. It's derived from a given name Klos, which is an old Slavic name that means "harvest" or "threshing floor." This name was often use...

#12 Klose

Last name • surnames > klose

The surname Klose is of German origin. It is derived from a number of possible sources. One possibility is that it originated as a nickname for someone who was close or clumsy, fro...

#13 Kloufi

Last name • surnames > kloufi

The origin of the surname Kloufi is unclear and may be difficult to trace due to variations in spelling and possible changes in pronunciation over time. However, it's believed that...

#14 Kloul

Last name • surnames > kloul

The surname "Kloul" is of Polish origin. It probably derives from the Polish word "klol" which means "clocher" or "tour". This may indicate a geographical origin related to a tower...

#15 Kloutse

Last name • surnames > kloutse

I'm sorry but I could not find any information on the origin of the last name "Kloutse." It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon surname, or that it may have multiple possible...