NomOrigine Background

Last Name Klups

What is the origin of the last name Klups?

The surname Klups is of Latvian origin. In Latvia, it is derived from the personal name Klaipis, a diminutive form of the given name Klaivis, which means "claw" or "hook." This name was brought to other countries by Latvian immigrants or emigrants. The surname Klups can also be found in Estonia and other Baltic regions due to cultural and historical ties between these areas.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Klups

The meaning and origin of the last name Klups

The surname Klups is of Estonian origin, derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a clump of trees or a small wood. The word "klups" translates to "cluster" or "bunch" in English, which likely refers to a specific grouping of trees. It is one of the lesser common surnames in Estonia but can be found primarily among the Estonian population. Like many Estonian names, it may have been originally patronymic, indicating that it was derived from the personal name Klaus, a short form of Nicholas. The surname has several variations such as Klup, Klupp, and Klups. It is worth noting that the distribution and spelling of this surname may vary depending on the migration patterns and influences over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Klups

The last name Klups is primarily distributed across Estonia, with a significant concentration in the coastal region of Harju County and the southern county of Pärnu. It's also present in neighboring regions of Russia, particularly in the Leningrad Oblast and Saint Petersburg due to historical migration patterns. Smaller clusters can be found in Finland, likely as a result of Estonian migrants seeking work opportunities during the 20th century. Additionally, some individuals with the surname Klups reside in the United States and other countries, largely attributed to immigration from Estonia during the mid-to-late 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Klups

The surname Klups has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variants include Clups, Klupps, Kluppes, Clüps, Klüps, Klupe, and Kluppe. These variations can occur due to factors such as different transliteration conventions, spelling reforms, or simply errors in transcribing names over generations. The original form of the name is not definitively known, but it is believed to be of Germanic origin, possibly derived from the Old High German word "kluobe," meaning "branch" or "limb."

Famous people with the last name Klups

One of the notable individuals with the last name Klups is Michael Klups, an American professional ice hockey player. He was born on June 28, 1964, and played as a defenseman for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Klups retired from professional hockey in 1995 after spending over a decade in the league. In the realm of academia, there is Paul Klups, an American physicist known for his work on experimental physics education research. He currently serves as the Director of the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Lastly, mention should be made of Kadri Klups, a renowned Estonian artist who specializes in graphic design and illustration. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions worldwide, earning her recognition and acclaim within the art community.

Genealogical research on the last name Klups

The Klups surname is predominantly found in Estonia and Latvia, with some occurrences in Finland as well, indicating potential Scandinavian origins. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be traced back to 13th-century Estonia. Over time, variations such as Kloops, Klupps, and Kloobs have appeared due to spelling inconsistencies in historical records. The name is associated with the Tartu region in Estonia, where many members of the Klups family were peasants or farmers. In the 1800s, some Klups families emigrated from Estonia to Finland and later to the United States, particularly Minnesota and Wisconsin, in search of better opportunities. The Klups surname remains relatively uncommon outside these regions today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 August 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Kluck (Last name)

surnames > kluck

The last name Kluck is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "lucke", meaning "gap" or "opening". This name may have originally been used to describe some...

Kluckow (Last name)

surnames > kluckow

The last name Kluckow is of German origin. It is believed to be a habitational surname derived from the name of various places in Germany, such as Kluckow in Schleswig-Holstein.

Kluh (Last name)

surnames > kluh

The last name "Kluh" is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "klug," meaning clever or intelligent. The name may have originally been a nickname for someone who was...

Kluppel (Last name)

surnames > kluppel

The surname "Kluppel" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "klupfel" which means "club" or "mace." The name may have originally been a nickname for s...

Klutse (Last name)

surnames > klutse

The last name Klutse is of African origin, specifically from the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo. It is a common surname among the Ewe ethnic group, and it likely has a meaning or sig...