The current-day American figure of a red-clad Santa Claus was based on folklore traditions surrounding -
Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the city of Myra in Asia Minor [modern-day Demre, Turkey] during the time of the Roman Empire.
The English figure of Father Christmas, the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer and typically considered to be synonymous with Santa Claus, he was originally part of a much older and unrelated English folkloric tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period. >> The History of Father Christmas
The Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children.