Surname Clasen - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Ancestry with iGENEA: My Personal Odyssey inside the DNA of the Clasen Family”

An emotionally charged journey with iGENEA, narrating the anticipation, anxiety, and profound revelations from the DNA test. Discover the impact this genetic odyssey had on the perception of the family name 'Clasen', as the history behind this surname unfolded its roots, contributing to a deeper understanding of familial ties and connections.

N. Clasen

Clasen: What does the surname Clasen mean?

The last name Clasen is a German surname believed to come from the Low German word "clasen," which means to shut or close. Generally, it is believed that this surname was adopted by an ancestor who either sold locks and latches or was a skilled locksmith.

The German version of this surname, Klasen, is found as early as the 15th century with its root word, klasse, meaning class. It is likely that this surname derived from the profession of the person who took or gave the surname. It is possible that a person of high social status or a master craftsman from the Middle Ages was the original bearer of this name.

The name has developed various spellings over the centuries such as Claasen, Claessen, Klasen, and Klassen. As the surname spread to other regions, many of these variations adopted equivalents in other languages, such as Closon in French and Clocken in Dutch.

Clasen is primarily found in Germany and surrounding countries today, but it can also be found in the United States, Mexico, France, Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. It is also a common surname in Latin America, particularly in Venezuela, where it ranks among the top 1000 surnames.

Overall, the last name Clasen is an intriguing name derived from a unique source. It is believed to come from the medieval practice of people taking or giving surnames based on their profession or social status. Over time it has changed in form and spelling, and is now found in various cultures across the world.

Clasen: Where does the name Clasen come from?

The last name Clasen is most common in parts of continental Europe, particularly Germany. It is also quite common in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Today, Clasen can be found in many parts of the United States and Canada, especially in states and provinces with a history of German immigration. In the U.S., states such as Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska have high numbers of Clasen surnames, as well as some notable cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, which have historically had large German-American populations.

The surname Clasen is also found in other parts of the world, although not as prevalently. In South America, Clasen is found in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, as well as some areas of Australia. African nations such as Angola, Kenya, and Nigeria also have a few people with the surname Clasen. Additionally, in the last few decades, a number of Clasens have emigrated from their countries of origin to the United Kingdom, and the name is now increasingly found there.

In all, the surname Clasen is now found on all continents, though it remains most common in Europe. The large presence of Clasens in the United States is a reflection of the many Germans who settled in the country in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the growth of international migration in recent decades.

Variations of the surname Clasen

Clasen is a surname originated in Germany with several possible variants including Classen, Claßen, Claessen, Klasen, Classon, Kaasen, and Klaasen. It is believed to be an occupational name for a shoemaker, derived from the Old German word “klebitz”, meaning “to stitch”.

The most common spelling for this surname is Classen and Claßen, and the most accepted origin is Westphalian, specifically the area in Germany known as the “Ackerland”, near the border with The Netherlands. Spelling variations of this surname are more influenced by regional dialects, due to the lack of a commonly accepted written language in the area until the adoption of the German high German writing system in the late 1800s.

Variants of Clasen have also been located in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as the Netherlands. The spelling might change to Kaasen in the Dutch language and Kasen in Swiss-German.

Clansen is an interesting variant which has been in use since the mid-1800s in the United States. Clansen is believed to be a phonetic interpretation of the original German name, reflecting the 19th-century pronunciation of Clasen in the United States.

Other variations that can be found in the United States are Claessen, Classon and Klaasen, which are generally Dutch variants. Some American families have kept their Dutch ancestry rooted in their surnames, while other variations have emerged overtime, due to Americanization.

Clasen is a popular family name in Germany, and its variations are equally popular in other German-speaking areas, the United States and other countries.

Famous people with the name Clasen

• Kaitlyn Clasen: actress best known for playing the role of Kayla in the film My Spy (2020).
• Amber Clasen: American singer-songwriter, who has performed in musicals such as Grease and performed on America’s Got Talent.
• Jerry Clasen: American environmental protection expert, currently the Director of the Office of the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Commission.
• Gabe Clasen: Canadian football player who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
• Ed Clasen: American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the New York Yankees (1945–1947).
• Rhonda Clasen: former American politician from Kansas.
• Mike Clasen: IFBB Pro bodybuilder and powerlifter.
• Tim Clasen: American paleontologist and professor at the University of Michigan.
• Shane Clasen: singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas known for his indie-folk/rock sound and unique, heartfelt lyrics.
• Nicholas Clasen: professor of ancient and contemporary philosophy at the University of Chicago.

Other surnames

ClasemannClasensClaserClases