Claus
A short form of Nicholas, widely used in German and Dutch-speaking areas.
The #8,911 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 84,035 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Claus is a clipped German and Dutch form of Nikolaus, ultimately from Greek Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.” In medieval and early modern Europe it often began as a pet form or short everyday form of Nicholas and related baptismal names. The same root also lies behind spellings and relatives such as Klaus, Klaas, and Clausen.
History
The name became especially common in German-speaking regions and in Dutch-speaking areas, where it was used both as a given name and as a surname. Historical name dictionaries also note related forms such as Clausius and Clausen, and compounds like Jungclaus. In some cases the surname may have developed independently from a personal name rather than from a fixed hereditary family line.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The familiar Christmas figure “Santa Claus” ultimately traces back to the same Nicholas name family.
From the historical record
“Special mention of the ' bemer ' is made ia a hunting record, 5 Hen. Ill (Rot. Litt. Claus. i. 463; N. and Q. above). The ' yeoman-berner ' is mentioned in the Parliamentary Rolls. Richard k Benier, co. Line, ao Edw.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances