Claes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany

The roots of the Claes family are found in the ancient German state of Bavaria. Claes is one of the most common styles of German surname, that of patronymics and matronymics - names derived from the given names of the father or mother of their original bearers. Claes is derived from the medieval given name Klaus, which is a shortened form of the personal name Niklaus or Nicholas. The given name Nicholas, which means people's victory, was popular among Christians throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Claes family

The surname Claes was first found in Bavaria, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and would later play a large role in the political conflicts of the area. The family branched into many houses, many of which acquired estates and manors throughout the surrounding regions, where they played significant roles in the social and political affairs.

Early History of the Claes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Claes research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1656, 1679, 1681, 1691, 1713 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Claes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claes Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Claes include Klaus, Klauss, Claus, Clauss, Klauhs, Clauhs, Klausing (Westphalia), Klauser (Switzerland), Clausing, Clauser, Klausen, Klaussen, Clausen and many more.

Early Notables of the Claes family

Prominent among members of the name Claes in this period include John Closterman (1656-1713), portrait-painter, born at Osnaburg, Hanover, in 1656, the son of an artist, who taught him the rudiments of design. "In 1679 he went to...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Claes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claes migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Claess to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Claes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ryck Claes, who settled in New Netherland in 1651
Bartel Nicolaes Claes, who settled in New Netherland in 1651
Bartel Nicolaes Claes, who arrived in New York in 1651 1
Gerrit Claes, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1652 1
Gerrit Claes, who settled in New Netherland in 1652
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Claes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh. Regine Elisabeth Claes, who settled in America in 1857

Claes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Claes Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Revelet Jeanne Claes, settler from London who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Hobsons Bay" in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Claes (post 1700) +

Wouter Claes (1975-2010), Belgian bronze medalist badminton player at the 2010 European Championships
Willy Claes (1938-1994), Belgian politician, Secretary General of NATO 1994-1995
Virginie Claes (1982-2006), Miss Belgium 2006
Paul Claes (b. 1943), Belgian writer, poet and translator
Johnny Claes (1916-1956), Belgian racing driver
Ian Claes (b. 1981), Belgian footballer
Glenn Claes (b. 1994), Belgian footballer
Georges Claes (1920-1994), Belgian racing cyclist, he won Paris–Roubaix in 1946 and 1947
Gabrielle Claes, Belgian museum curator of the Cinémathèque royale de Belgique since 1988
Andreas Ernestus Josephus "Ernest" Claes (1885-1968), Flemish author
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)