Surname Kleemayer - Meaning and Origin

Kleemayer: What does the surname Kleemayer mean?

The surname Kleemayer is an occupational name that originated in Germany from the term 'Kleemeyer' which means "clay worker" in German. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word 'Klem', meaning clay, and the German 'Meier', which means mayor or master.

This surname is likely to have been assumed by people who lived in a region where clay was used as a building material or in the production of pottery. It was probably taken up by a worker in the clay industry. In some cases, the surname may have been adopted by someone whose occupation was related to making or using clay, such as a potter or brick maker.

Kleemayer is a relatively uncommon name in Germany, and is more likely to be found in the United States due to immigration patterns from the late 19th century onwards. It is most commonly found in the Midwestern states, where many German immigrants settled.

The surname Kleemayer is derived from an occupational name and refers to a profession involving the use of clay. It is an uncommon name, primarily found among German Americans living in the Midwestern region of the United States.

Kleemayer: Where does the name Kleemayer come from?

The last name Kleemayer (sometimes spelled Kleimayer or Kleimayr) is a rare German surname, with its occurrence being mostly limited to areas in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Today, the last name Kleemayer is most commonly found in Bavaria, the largest state in Germany located in the southeast part of the country. Bavaria is home to around 12 million people, and in recent years the Kleemayer surname is said to have become increasingly popular there.

In the US, the surname is less common, however there are possessing communities in states such as New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Virginia. The Kleemayer name is seen more often in communities made up of German immigrant families that have maintained a surname and origin from their native home.

Outside of Germany and the US, the name Kleemayer can also be found in other parts of Europe, primarily in Austria, Hungary, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Given the rarity of the name, there have been difficulties tracing the distinct origins of the Kleemayr name. Some genealogists have traced the surname to a small area south of Munich in the Oberbayern region, while others have linked the Kleemayer name to royal families from Austria during the Middle Ages.

Whether or not its origins can be tracked, it is clear that today the Kleemayer surname is largely found in Germany and the US among a number of German immigrant communities.

Variations of the surname Kleemayer

Kleemayer is primarily a German surname which can be spelled in many different ways. Variants of Kleemayer include Kleemeyer, Kleemeier, Kleinmeyer, Kleimmeyr, Kleimayer, and Kleemeyer. All of these spellings are derived from the Middle German “Kleemeyer,” which means “key master” or “key keeper.” The surname is likely to have been carried from Germany to other countries during the 19th century, meaning it can also be found in places such as the United States and Canada.

In the U.S., the surname is sometimes found spelled as Kleeman, Clayman, or Clamman. Additionally, it is often blended with other surnames that have come to the United States, such as Kleemann or Kleemann-Kleemayr. These variations are likely the result of the many different immigrants arriving in the country and how they chose to Anglicize their names.

In some cases, the surname might also be found orientalized as “Klemmer” or “Klem.” These spellings are likely a result of people seeking to assimilate and adapt to countries where they are the minority.

The original spelling of “Kleemayer” still remains the most common, and all of the variations are likely hedging back to the original meaning of the name: “Key Master.” The surname is a reminder of an ancestor’s ancestral homeland and the profession they had at the time – a key keeper and master in the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Kleemayer

• Armin Kleemayer: An Austrian basketball player and coach.
• Jurgen Kleemayer: A German professional soccer player.
• Simon Kleemayer: An Austrian ski jumper.
• Matteo Kleemayer: An Italian sculptor.
• Sandra Kleemayer: A German opera singer.
• Heinz Kleemayer: An Austrian journalist, author, and publicist.
• Gerd Kleemayer: A German artist.
• Karl-Heinz Kleemayer: A German composer and radio producer.
• Christian Kleemayer: A German production designer.
• Josef Kleemayer: An Austrian-German expressionist painter.

Other surnames

Kleemayr