The surname Clawges is truly an American invention. It can not be found any where else in the world written as "Clawges". There has been some confusion with the surname "Clague" which can be found on the Isle of Man, British Isles. This family, "Clague" may be the Falcon trainers, that some unknown person has attached our family name. But I have not found any proof to substantiate the story of Falcon trainers. I think it is very romantic story, indeed.

 According to Church records,"Klages" was the original spelling of 
the name. The Dictionary of German Names, by Hans Bahlow,page 296
translated by Edda Gentry, Max Kade Institute for German Studies
University of Wisconsin, 1993 states;
 "Klages" (lower German)= Klawes=Nikolaus; also Klage, Grotklage,
Klagemann, Klagge(s).  For the w or the g, which sometimes are inserted
in a lengthened syllable, compare LGER. Pawel or Pagel for paul.
And German American Names, by George F. Jones, page 98 states;
Clawes < Niklaus =American adaptation
Niklaus < St. Nicholas =14 & 17 century adaptation.
St. Nikolaus was the patron saint of mariners and ship captains,
seafaring merchants and children ( DEC 6!!). I personally, love to sail.


                         Church Records 
 

 Bucks County, Vol.1 Tonicken Union Reformed

Valentine of John Klages and Rosina, b. January 16; bapt. February 
21, 1780. Wit: Valentine Klages and Catharine, grandparents.

1st Reformed, Phila., CO  Rev. Casper Weyberg

Elizabeth Klages, age 52 years, 4 months, 14 days, buried September 
5, 1773.
Andrew Klages, age 1 year, buried September 19, 1776.
Valentine Klages m. Catherine Helmig on November 6, 1774.
Andrew, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. October 30, 1775, bapt. 
November 19, 1775.  Spon:  Andrew Stahl.
John, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. January 4, 1777, bapt. March 
31, 1777.  Spon:  Parents.
Valentine Klages, age 1 yr., 8 mos., bur. Aug. 25, 1782.
Jacob Klages, age 5 mos., 11 days, bur. Sept. 8, 1782.
Samuel Klages, age 1 yr., 8 mos., bur. Aug. 11, 1785.
Daniel Klages m. Maria Rohrman on May 27, 1783.
Jacob, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. March 26, ----, bapt. April 
21, 1782.  Spon: Parents.
Samuel, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. Dec. 9, 1783, bapt. Dec. 
26, 1783.  Spon: Andrew Bauer and Barbara.
Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Klages and Maria, b. Sept. 23, 1784, 
bapt. Oct. 3, 1784.  Spon: Conrad Rohrman and Elizabeth.
Sarah, daughter of John Klages and Rosina, b. Sept. 19, 1785, bapt. 
Oct. 9, 1785.  Spon: The Parents.
John, son of Daniel Klages and Maria, b. July 2, 1786, bapt. July 16, 
1786.  Spon: John Klages and Rosian.
Thomas, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. March 15, 1787, bapt. March 
27, 1787.  Spon: Thomas Fischer and Elizabeth.
Anna Catherine, daughter of Daniel Klages and Maria, b. June 12, 
1788, bapt. July 6, 1788.  Spon: Conrad Rohrman and Catherine Hains.-
William, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. April 3, 1789, bapt. May 
3, 1789.  Spon: The Parents.

 Rev. Herman Winckhaus, 1st Reformed Vol.2

Samuel, son of Daniel Klages and Maria, b. Dec. 31, 1790, bapt. Jan. 
8, 1791.  Spon: Samuel Mauss and Maria.
Carl, son of John Klages and Rosina, b. April 12, 1791, bapt. May 1, 
1791.  Spon: Thomas Fischer and Elizabeth.
Jacob, son of Daniel Klages and Maria, b. Jan. 27, 1792, bapt. Feb. 
12, 1792.  Spon: Jacob Schreiner and Elizabeth.

 Rev. William Hendel, 1st Reformed, Vol.2

Hannah Klages, age 11 mos., bur. June 23, 1794.
Catharine Klages, age 83 yrs., 7 mos., bur. May 5, 1795.
Catharine Klages, age 9 mos., 23 days, bur. April 26, 1796.
Nancy, daughter of Daniel Klages and Polly, b. June 1, 1799, bapt. 
Aug. 7, 1799.  Spon: Parents.
John, son of Valentine Klages and Elizabeth, b. ----,  March 18, 
1753.  Spon:  John Sorber and his mother Anna Maria.
Maria Martha, daughter of Valentine Klages and Elizabeth, b. ----, 
bapt. October 13, 1754.  Spon:  Martin Grüen [ Gruen ] and wife Maria 
Martha.
Daniel, son of Valentine Klages and Elizabeth, b. August 11, 1760, 
bapt. December 25, 1760.  Spon:  Daniel Kümpman [ Kumpman ] (Kampman), 
single.
Catecisms:
Elizabeth Klages, 17 years
John Klages, 15 years

 


         
  Thank You,
  Penna Births, Montgomery County 1682-1800, by John T. Humphrey, page 244.
  PA Births, Bucks County 1682-1800, John T. Humphrey, page 159.