Surname Klehe - Meaning and Origin
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Klehe: What does the surname Klehe mean?
The lastname Klehe is of Germanic/Old German origin, derived from the name "Klehe" or "Kleh". This surname was likely a nickname for an individual with a cheerful and bubbly personality, as the name literally translates as “joyful” or “merry”. It was particularly popular as given name in the Medieval period, and has lived on in various spellings and forms from then to present day.
Klehe can be found in regions across Germany, as well as in regions with a historically Germanic population such as the Netherlands and Scandinavia. It is also common in other countries that had Germans emigrate to them, with Klehe families having been found in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Klehe surname is much more widespread in its various spellings, including Kleh, Kleeh, Klehe, Kleehe, and Klah. The spelling variation is especially apparent among immigrants to the United States and other anglophone countries, where many individuals changed their surname or adopted a different spelling for their family.
The Klehe surname is also strongly associated with families of the Lutheran faith. Many of the records that exist tracing families using the Klehe surname in Germany recall that the families originated in areas that were predominantly Lutheran. This is especially true for the Dutch families that adopted the Klehe surname, as they were among the first Germanic immigrants to colonies in North America.
Order DNA origin analysisKlehe: Where does the name Klehe come from?
The last name Klehe is most commonly found in Germany today, where it is still relatively widespread. Historically, the name is thought to come from Middle High German, where it meant ‘clever’ or ‘keen observer’. By the 17th century, the Klehe family had made its way to northern Germany, and it is likely that the surname has been established there since then.
Today, there are many people carrying the last name Klehe in Germany. According to Geneanet’s records, over 4,400 people with that surname currently live in Germany. The surname is especially concentrated in North Rhine Westphalia, which is the most populous state in the country, as well as in Lower Saxony and Hamburg.
The Klehe name is also found in smaller numbers in other countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. The Klehe surname is rarer in the rest of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, with the advancement of modern technology, it has become easier to trace family history around the world, and people who have adopted the Klehe surname can still be found in different countries.
Variations of the surname Klehe
The surname Klehe, which can also be spelled as Kleehe, Klehe or Klee, originates from a Germanic toponymic surname. It was most likely derived from a Germanic place-name that translating to "cliffs" or "rocky hillside". Variant spellings of the surname include Klaeh, Kleye, Kleyh, Kleh, Klehee and Kleheh.
Klehe can also be used as a spelling variation of surnames such as Kleff, Kleife, Kleifel, Kleiffel, Kleifel, Klaifl, Klaiger, Kleiger and Klaigge. These surnames are derived from the German words 'Klei' meaning 'clay' or 'loam' and 'feld', meaning 'field', thus forming a meaningful toponymic reference to living near a clay-field.
The Klehe surname is also a variant of Cline, which is a locational surname believed to originate from the area near the Rhine River in southern Germany, though it can also derive from Clein in Belgium. It is believed that Cline might be derived from the Old Germanic name 'Klein', which translates to 'small'. Variant spellings for Cline include Clein, Kline, Kleine, Kleiner and Kleinefeld.
The Klehe surname can also be translated into other language forms such as Klja, Kleica, Klyha, Cleha, Klec, Klecha and Klys. The surname is also said to have Italian, French, Spanish and Czech variants, with the Czech spelling of Kleh being found most commonly associated with Czech families.
Famous people with the name Klehe
- Guilliaume Klehe: Guilliaume Klehe is a German musician and composer, and a member of the dream Pop Band Sun Glitters.
- Christian Klehe: Christian Klehe is a German football coach and former player who now works with the German Football Association as an international advisor.
- Popsky Eurik Klehe: Popsky Eurik Klehe is a self-made German inventor and entrepreneur, widely known for his designs of robots and automations systems.
- Natalia Klehe: Natalia Klehe is a Spanish fashion designer with multiple awards for her unique combination of Spanish and Latin American design.
- Peter Klehe: Peter Klehe is a German art historian and curator, specialising in the baroque and renaissance periods of European art.
- Anna Klehe: Anna Klehe is a German flautist and composer, who has composed for film, stage and the classical repertoire.
- Jens Klehe: Jens Klehe is a German football player, currently playing for VfL Bochum in the German 2. Bundesliga.
- Wilhelm Klehe: Wilhelm Klehe was a German athlete and shot put champion, winner of numerous gold medals in the 1920s and 30s.
- Katja Klehe: Katja Klehe is a German businesswoman and founder of Berlin's popular Language Cafe.
- Rudi Klehe: Rudi Klehe was a German World War II flying ace, known for his courage and skill in defense of the Third Reich.