De Cloet

De Cloet is a Dutch toponymic or nickname-based surname, a variant of Kloet. The name likely originates from Middle Dutch cloet meaning "lump, ball." As a nickname, it could have referred to a clumsy or oafish person—someone perceived as bulky or rough. Alternatively, it might have identified a person who lived near a house or inn with a sign depicting a globe or ball, a common practice in medieval signage.

The prefix de is a definite article meaning "the," which in Dutch surnames often indicates a place of origin or a distinguishing feature. Thus, De Cloet may have originally denoted "the one from Cloet" or "the one with the cloak of the ball." Variants of this surname include Cloet, De Kloet, Kloet, and Kloeten. The name is relatively rare; according to Forebears, it is most frequently found in Belgium, particularly in the Flemish region.

As is typical with Dutch surnames bearing the de prefix, genealogical records from the Netherlands and Belgium may show both De Cloet and the without-prefix form Cloet in different generations, reflecting the occasional addition or removal of the article over time.

• Meaning: Variant of Kloet, from Middle Dutch 'cloet' meaning "lump, ball"
• Origin: Dutch
• Type: Surname
• Usage Regions: Netherlands, Belgium