Surname Klehn - Meaning and Origin
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Klehn: What does the surname Klehn mean?
The last name Klehn is a very old German name, with records of the family line recorded as far back as 1544. The earliest known bearer of the name was Ulrich Klehn, a Bavarian farmer recorded in 1544.
Klehn is derived from the German word 'kleine', meaning 'small'. This points to the probable origin of the name, coming from a nickname given to a 'little' person, someone who was short or small in stature. This type of name was common in the era, with many families having similar references in their surnames.
The Klehn family is linked with the feudal system of Europe, with records showing that members of the family held the military title of Untervogt in several provinces, including Saxony and Bavaria. This particular title implied some level of wealth and power as a regional commander of soldiers.
Today, the Klehn family is spread far and wide across the world, but mostly remains in parts of Germany and Europe. Though the family no longer holds a title, they have created a strong presence for themselves through business, politics, art and fashion.
The surname Klehn is a reminder of the great history of Germany, and a symbol of the power and influence the family has held over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKlehn: Where does the name Klehn come from?
The last name Klehn is of German origin and it is primarily found in Northern Germany, particularly in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. It is also common in South Denmark, especially in Aabenraa Kommune.
The origin of the name is not very clear, but there are several theories. One suggests that the name is derived from the German words Kliff (mountain ridge) and eich (oak). This could mean that the original family was located on a mountain ridge with oak trees. Another theory suggests that it is derived from the Old High German word kleohhan (little rock or stone).
The variant spelling of Klehn is Klahn and it is also found in Northern Germany. Other similar surnames found in Germany include Klee, Kleemann, Kleine, Kleinert, Klar and Kleinhans. There are also some Klehns found in the United States, primarily in Ohio. It is believed that the earliest immigrants to the US with this name were from Prussia and Saxony.
Klehn is not a very common name today. However, there are some people with this name in Germany, Denmark, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Klehn
The surname Klehn is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word "kleine", which means "small". It is a variant of the more commonly found surname Klein. The surname Klehn may be found with alternate spellings, such as Klahn, Klehan, Kline, Klayn, Klain, Kleen, Klehne, Cleen, Clehn, Klehns, and Klahns.
The surname first appears in records in the 16th century, when it was used as a baptismal name in some parts of Europe. Over time, the spelling of the surname evolved from Klayn to Klehn. There are records of the spellings Kleyne and Kleyen, both of which are quite similar to the present-day spelling of Klehn.
It is likely that the surname evolved from a given name, and many of the variant spellings may be a result of changes in pronunciation throughout history. For example, Kline may have been derived from Kleine, and Klain from Klayn. This evolution occurred as a result of regional patterns of pronunciation.
Due to the surname's long history, it is possible that variants have developed in different countries. For instance, the name Klien is a possible German variant, while Klehn may be found in some Scandinavian countries.
Overall, the surname Klehn has a long history tracing back to the 16th century. It can be found with many alternate spellings and variants throughout the world, such as Klahn, Klehan, Kline, Klayn, Klain, Kleen, Klehne, Cleen, Clehn, Klehns, and Klahns.
Famous people with the name Klehn
- Elbo Klehn: German actor
- Eric Klehn: American actor
- Harald Klehn: German entrepreneur
- Ingrid Klehn: Norwegian literary scholar
- Karl Klehn: German chemist
- Lindy Klehn: German author
- Rune Klehn: Norwegian adventurer
- Stein Klehn: Norwegian industrialist
- Wilfried Klehn: German film producer
- Wilhelm Klehn: German zoologist