Family name origins & meanings
- German : nickname from Middle High German and Middle Low German klār ‘pure’, ‘beautiful’, ‘clear’.
- German : metronymic from the female personal name Klara, equivalent of Clara (see Clair and Sinclair).
- German : from a short form of the Latin personal name Hilarius (see Hillary).
- Jewish (Ashkenazic) : ornamental name from German Klar ‘clear’, ‘beautiful’.
- This surname is also found in Sweden, probably originally taken there from Germany.