Surname Kleff - Meaning and Origin
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Kleff: What does the surname Kleff mean?
The last name Kleff is of German origin, derived from a German word meaning "latch," referring to a locking device, often found on a door or gate. It is thought by some to be a version of the name Kleefeld, meaning "cleared field."
Kleff was also sometimes used to denote a person from a small medieval village of that name located in the German state of Lower Saxony. Today, the Kleff surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, as well as in other parts of Europe and America.
The Kleff surname can refer to many different families with diverse ancestral origins, from recent immigrants to those tracing their ancestry back to the Roman Empire. Although the Kleff name is most commonly associated with Germany and Austria, it is also found in other countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Italy, and South Africa.
Kleff families often share a common heritage, and those with the Kleff surname may find that they are related to one another. Like other surnames, the spelling for this name varies slightly, and can be seen spelled as "Kleff," "Klaeff," "Kleefe," "Kleef," "Kleeft," and "Kléff."
The Kleff surname continues to be an important part of many families' identity, with family members often gathering to reminisce and exchange stories of generations past. Those with this unique surname are proud to carry it, honoring their shared heritage and continuing to make a lasting impact in the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKleff: Where does the name Kleff come from?
The last name Kleff is believed to be of German origin, and is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, and Canada today.
In Germany, the surname is taken from the Middle High German word "klef," meaning "cliff." It is quite common throughout the country and can be found in records dating back to the thirteenth century. The surname can be found primarily in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Brandenburg.
In the United States, the surname began to appear in records in the late nineteenth century, as many Germans began emigrating from Germany to North America. The surname is most common in Pennsylvania and Missouri.
In Canada, the surname was introduced by German immigrants, and the numbers of individuals bearing the surname has steadily increased over the last century as German Canadians continue to settle in the country. Today the surname is most common in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
It is estimated that the total population bearing the last name Kleff is made up of over 5,000 individuals spread across the three countries, and continues to grow today.
Variations of the surname Kleff
The surname Kleff is a surname, primarily found in Germany, with various spellings and variants. It is a toponymic surname derived from localities in Germany, such as Kleefeld, Kleefelden, and Kleefisch.
The variants of the surname Kleff include Kleffel, Kleff, Klefel, Kleffeld, Kleffen, Kleffler, Kleffle, Klief, Kleefisch, Kleifeld, and Kliefeld.
The Kleff surname is also anglicized as Cluff or Clive. These versions of the surname may sometimes be found spelled as Cluif, Cluiff, Cluffe, Cluffer, Cluffel, and Clufferd.
The German spelling is Klefel, Klefel, Klaefle, Kleffel, Kleffel, Kleeffel, Kleffeler, Kleffler, Kleflinger, Kleinfle, Kleyfling, Kleyfle, Kleyfling, and Kleyffel.
The Kleff surname can also be found in various other surnames depending on how it was spelled in the past. The Kleff surname has been found as Kleyffer, Kleffe, Kleyffel, Kleffern, Kleffes, Kleyffer, Kleffner, Kleffer, Kleff, Kleif, Klefel, Kleffinger, Kleffman, Kleffen, and Kleeffler.
Kleff is a widely distributed surname throughout Germany, so it is likely that you will encounter variations of this surname in other parts of the world, especially in countries with large populations of German immigrants such as the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Kleff
- Joschka Fischer, former German Foreign Minister.
- Roger Kleff, American actor known for his work on the movies Super MD and Strictly Ballroom.
- Adam Kleff, German composer and songwriter.
- Sabrina Kleff, German fashion designer.
- David Kleff, American musician and singer.
- Kyle Kleff, American television producer and director.
- Scott Kleff, American film editor.
- Stephen Kleff, American cinematographer.
- Janina Kleff, German actress.
- Theresa Kleff, Swiss actress.