Surname Klees - Meaning and Origin

Klees: What does the surname Klees mean?

The last name Klees is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the Middle High German name Klus meaning “hill” or “cliff.” It might also be connected to Middle Low German klees meaning “narrow-mouthed jug.” The name is associated with several place-names in Germany as well.

Klees as a surname could also be a derivative of Kleist, meaning “to close,” sometimes taken to relate to a door-keeper or a watchman. The name Klein (which is sometimes Anglicized as Klees) is derived from the Middle High German name klein meaning “small,” and was given as a nickname to a small person.

Klees is a common surname in Germany, but it has spread to other countries, such as the United States, through emigration. There are many variants of Klees, including Kleis, Kleiss, Kleyss, Kleys, and Kleisser.

The Klees family was among those who arrived in Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century. They were part of the large number of German-speaking immigrants who settled in the Pennsylvania-German communities of Lancaster, Chester, and Berks counties. The Kleeses were farmers and worked in various trades. They were religious reformers and supporters of agricultural improvement programs.

Today, the Klees family continues to be a thriving part of the American experience, with many members making their mark in business, politics, academia, and the arts.

Klees: Where does the name Klees come from?

The last name Klees is most common in Germany and the Netherlands today, especially in the western regions. In Germany, Klees is an occupational name referring to a cooper, which was someone who made barrels, kegs and other tightly bound containers for the storage and transport of goods. The name is likely derived from the German word “kleis”, which means “to glue” or “to fasten together”.

Klees is also a fairly common surname in the Netherlands, although it is not as common as it is in Germany. Here, the name can be traced back to the early Middle Ages, when it was likely an occupational name for a keymaker or blacksmith.

This surname has also been found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, Austria, and the Czech Republic. There are also a few individuals with the last name Klees living in the United States. In the U.S., the name is most common in the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

Overall, the last name Klees is still most concentrated in the countries of its origin, Germany and the Netherlands. That being said, it does have a presence in other areas of Europe and the United States.

Variations of the surname Klees

There are many variants, spellings and surnames that derive from the same origin as Klees, such as Klee, Kleis, Kleiss, Kleiz, Kleez, Kleisz, Klies, Kliess, Kliesz, Klysz, Kleissz, and Klez.

The Klee variant is probably most common and is a German variant of Clemens, which was derived from the Latin Clemens (mild, merciful). It is found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking regions.

The Kleis variant is also derived from Clemens and is found mainly in the German-speaking countries.

Kleiz is a variant found in Lithuania, which is derived from the Lithuanian Klezius.

Kleez is an Ashkenazi Jewish variant of Klee, found primarily in Poland and Ukraine.

Kleisz is another Ashkenazi Jewish variant, found especially in Poland.

Klies is a variant found mainly in the Netherlands. It is generally believed to be derived from the Dutch phrase klijsen, which means to distinct oneself from others.

Kliess is another variant deriving from Clemens, and is found mostly in Germany.

Kliesz is an Ashkenazi Jewish variant found primarily in Poland.

Klysz is the Slovak version of the surname.

Kleissz is a German variant found mainly in Germany and Austria.

Klez is a variant found in Lithuania.

Overall, there are a large variety of variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin as Klees.

Famous people with the name Klees

• Oskar Klees: German-born world-renowned musicologist and orchestra conductor.
• Richard Klees: former Vice President of the American Bar Association.
• Frederick Klees: German author, playwright, and screenwriter.
• Marianne Klee: Austrian-born art historian and curator.
• Hermann Klee: German mathematician.
• Stephan Klees: French-Swiss sculptor and stone engraver.
• Robert Klees: American aerospace engineer.
• Bob Klees: American sportscaster.
• Elmer Klees: American politician from Montana.
• Mary Kaye Klees: American politician and member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
• Steven Klees: American professor of education.
• Alina Klee: Austrian dancer.
• Hugo Klee: German writer.
• Tomas Klees: Italian-American chef.
• Paula Klee: French sculptress.
• Lillian Klee: American literary scholar.
• Guenther Klee: Austrian composer.
• Marcel Klees: Belgian-born artist.
• Johannes Klees: German philosopher.
• Annette Klee: American lawyer and legal expert.

Other surnames

KleeKleebauerKleebaurKleebergKleebergerKleeblattKleefKleefeldKleefeldtKleeffKleefischKleefmannKleehKleeleKleemaierKleemanKleemannKleemayerKleemayrKleemeierKleemeyerKleenKleeneKleeschulteKleeseKleespiesKleespießKleessKleeßKleessen