Surname Cless - Meaning and Origin
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Cless: What does the surname Cless mean?
The last name Cless originated as a French surname. The name itself is derived from the Old French word 'clé' which means a 'key', and shares its root with the English word clandestine, which means 'secret'.
The Cless surname is an occupational name as the original holder of the name Cless may have worked in the locksmithing or housing industry, in particular securing locks, locksmithing for houses, or supplying keys to customers. The Cless name may even have been adopted by individuals who worked in the administration of doors and access control, either as staff of a Head of Access or Foreman.
In addition to the occupation associated with the name Cless, the last name has also been known to refer to a physical attribute in members of the family, such as being small in stature or potentially having lighter colored hair.
A Cless family crest is a falcon, which may suggest that the Cless family were talented hunters or demonstrating a keen eye for detail or speed. It may be that the Crest adopted by the Cless family signified a certain level of success or achievement that was later passed onto family members.
The Cless name is not particularly common in the modern age, but does persist as a respected name in certain parts of the world. It’s certainly a name to watch out for in the future, as Cless' carry a long history of achievement and respect that makes them unique among other surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisCless: Where does the name Cless come from?
The last name Cless is found primarily in Germany. More specifically, it is most common in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It is also found in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and Berlin. The cities and towns of Kiel, Flensburg, Lübeck, Elmshorn, and Norderstedt have the highest concentrations of Cless households.
It has been speculated that the Cless family name is derived from an old Germanic personal name, Clodowic. This origin could have been from the early Dutch family of Clous, from the Burgundian word for "laughter".
The Cless family name has been traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany. During the late Middle Ages, the peasantry changed their surnames in order to avoid taxation, or to reflect recognition of service or patriotism. The Cless surname likely became associated with “clever” or “craftsman”, as historians speculate the origin of the name began in the 14th century.
Today, the Cless name is still found in Germany, although it is no longer as prominent as it once was. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including Belgium, and the United States. In the United States, the largest concentration of Cless households are in Missouri, followed by Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Cless name is also found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is likely that the name was taken to these countries by immigrants from Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Cless
The surname Cless can be variated or spelled in different ways. Generally, surnames are passed down from generation to generation and are spelled differently along the way.
Variants and spellings for the surname Cless include: Clesser, Cleess, Cleesser, Kleess, Kless, Kleiss, Klesser, Klys, Klyes, Klyess, Klyses and Klyss.
The spelling of surnames can also depend on the dialect of the language where it is used. For example, Cless can be spelled Kless in German dialects, and Clees in Dutch dialects.
The surnames of the same origin as Cless include Cles, Clis, Cliss, Clesser, Cleyss, Kleis, Kleiss, Kleys, Kleyser, Clyes, Clys and Clyss. These vary in many countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
In some countries, like the United States and Canada, certain spellings of surnames are more popular than others. It is not uncommon to find the spelling Cless used more prevalently than other variants.
Overall, the surname Cless is a unique surname and can be spelled a variety of ways depending on the dialect of the language where it is used.
Famous people with the name Cless
- Shelby Cless: actor, known for The Addams Family (2019)
- Evan Cless: actor for the film, Assassination Nation (2018)
- Hugh Cless: Broadway actor, dancer, and singer
- Tyler Cless: actor and stuntman known for movies such as Spectre (2015) and John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum (2019)
- Dick Cless: American minor league baseball player
- Alexis Cless: artist known for her works focused on African-American figures
- Mary Cless: American meteorologist known for her work with the National Hurricane Center
- Jay Cless: American film director
- John Cless: French sprinter and record-breaker
- William Cless: political cartoonist for the Tampa Bay Times