Surname Kleiber - Meaning and Origin

Kleiber: What does the surname Kleiber mean?

The last name Kleiber is derived from the German word "Klieb," which means to divide or to separate. Generally, Kleiber is a topographic name for someone who lived near a split or an opening in a hill or mountain. It may also have been used to describe someone who had to separate things as part of their profession, for example a land surveyor or an estate manager.

The name Kleiber is quite widespread in the Germanic regions of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. Historically, records of the name were first found in the 16th century, when records were kept of the activity and wealth of landowners. It is likely that the Kleibers were landowners or estate owners, which has helped the name become both widespread and respected in some parts of Germany.

The Kleiber family is known for its philanthropic activities, supporting local charities and organisations. Over the years, there have been Kleiber families that have founded charitable trusts, raised money for medical and scientific research and donated large sums to help the less fortunate.

In conclusion, the origins of the last name Kleiber most likely lie in the German word for 'divide' or 'separate.' It is likely that the surname originated with an estate or land owner who had to separate and divide certain areas of land. Today, the Kleiber family is widely respected and regarded as possessing strong philanthropic inclinations.

Kleiber: Where does the name Kleiber come from?

The last name Kleiber is common throughout much of Europe, especially in Germany. The surname is thought to have originated in Bavaria, and its literal meaning is "clay maker," which is believed to refer to someone who worked with clay, such as a potter or bricklayer.

Kleiber appears to be most common in Germany today, as it is the 48th most common surname in the country, with records from the 1990s indicating that just under 60,000 people have the name in Germany alone. In addition, the name is common in the United States and other European countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Slovakia.

The name is thought to have been derived from the Old German word klep, meaning "clay," and ber meaning "maker," which is how the last name originally got its meaning of "clay maker." The name is also linked to the term klinger, which means “clay worker” or “ceramics maker,” which further reinforces its origin with those occupations.

In modern times, the last name Kleiber has spread far and wide, with people bearing the name appearing all over the world. However, the largest concentrations of the name still remain in Germany and other parts of Europe, particularly Bavarian-speaking regions.

Variations of the surname Kleiber

The surname Kleiber has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Kloiber, Kleyber, Kleybir, Kleybor, Kleybor, Klieber, Kleebaur, Kleinberger, Kleinstuber, Klempner, Kleper, Klibor, Kliber, Kloiber and Kloibleser.

Kloiber is a variant of Kleiber and is quite common in some parts of Germany. The Kleyber variant occurs mostly in Bavaria and the spelling Kleybir can be found in Austria. Kleybor is seen frequently in Hungary. Kleybor is a German variant of Kleiber and can also be found in Austria. The spelling Klieber is mainly used in Switzerland, while Kleebaur is mostly seen in the United States.

Kleinberger is a Jewish variant of the Kleiber surname and is most commonly known in the Jewish diaspora. Kleinstuber is an Austrian adaptation of the Kleiber surname, while Klempner is a variation found in East Germany. Kleper is another variant found mainly in the United States, while Klibor and Kliber can be seen in the Czech Republic. Kloiber is an Austrian variant of Kleiber and Kloibleser is a German variant of the same.

These are some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of the surname Kleiber.

Famous people with the name Kleiber

• Carlos Kleiber: An Austrian conductor and minimalistic composer, known for his recordings with the Bavarian State Orchestra.
• Erich Kleiber: A conductor and composer who was one of the most influential and admired musicians of his time in the 20th century.
• Hans Kleiber: A German Impressionist painter who was influenced by the work of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne.
• Richard Kleiber: An Austrian-Hungarian conductor who was known for combining a clear and rigorous technique with a passionate style.
• Walter Kleiber: An Austrian conductor who was the founder and director of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.
• Martin Kleiber: An Austrian aeronautical engineer who researched the navigation and obstacle avoidance of WWII aircraft.
• Maurice Kleiber: A German-born American physicist known for his work on artificial intelligence and nuclear theory.
• Markus Kleiber: A Swiss-American composer and music librarian who was a professor at St. Olaf College.
• Gregor Kleiber: A German-born Croatian writer and publisher who wrote extensively about the history of Austria-Hungary.
• Jan Kleiber: A Swiss conductor and singer who led the Zurich Opera Company in the 1940s.

Other surnames

Kleibrink