Surname Kleihs - Meaning and Origin

Kleihs: What does the surname Kleihs mean?

The last name Kleihs is of German origin. It is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the first name of someone's father. It is believed to have been derived from the name "Kleibert," a Germanic given name meaning "courageous." This last name is still common in various parts of Germany today.

Historically, the Kleihs surname is associated with people living on the banks of the River Elbe in Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. During the Middle Ages, Kleihs families came from the towns of Schwerin, Parchim, Boizenburg, and Plauen, and many eventually settled in nearby regions. It is likely that the Kleihs family whose name first appeared in Germany also had links to these areas.

Kleihs people have a history of settling in small rural communities. Some have been farmers and some have been craftsmen. They have left a lasting impact on parts of Germany, leaving deep roots throughout the region. Today, many Kleihs are still small farmers but with modern access and changes in agriculture, some have diversified into other areas.

The Kleihs surname is a source of pride and a reminder of a distinctive German heritage. It is an honor to be a part of the Kleihs family and to have their name carry on for generations to come. The name may have changed over time, but the Kleihs family continues to be a part of German history and culture.

Kleihs: Where does the name Kleihs come from?

The last name Kleihs is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. In these countries, the name is fairly widespread, especially in the western and southern regions as well as in the major cities.

In Germany, the Kleihs name is particularly popular in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where it is among the top 2,000 most common surnames. In Switzerland, the name is found primarily in the cantons of Zurich, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Aargau, though it is also present in other cantons, including Bern and Solothurn.

In Austria, the Kleihs surname is mainly concentrated in the southern and western states, such as Vienna, Styria, and Vorarlberg, as well as in the city of Salzburg. It is also found in Tyrol and Upper Austria, though to a lesser extent.

In general, the name is much less common in more northerly areas, such as the former East Prussia, the Alsace-Lorraine area, and the Netherlands, where its presence is mostly limited to individuals of German descent. There are also some reports of the name being present in other parts of Europe, primarily in immigrant communities, notably in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

In the United States, the name is most often found among German immigrants who settled in the Midwest and Pennsylvania during the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, its current frequency in the United States is much lower than in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Kleihs

The surname Kleihs is a German and Dutch name, and is also known by a variety of alternate spellings. Variants of the name can be spelled as Kley, Kleyhs, Kleyhse, Kliehs, Kleyhss, Kliehss, Kleehs, Kleiks, Kleyhe, Kleyhus, Kleijs, Kleye, Kleyheus, Kokels and Klijs.

In Dutch, the name is spelled as Kley and Kleyhe, while in German is spelled Kleyhse, Kleyhss, Kleehs, Kleiks and Kleyheus.

Kleihs can also be found as a surname in other countries including Belgium, Denmark, England and Sweden.

The surnames Kokels and Klijs are derived from the Dutch version of Kleihs as well, and are often used interchangeably.

Other variants of the name include Kleye, Kleijs and Kleyhus. It is important to note that these spellings may not necessarily be associated with the same family tree, as the name has multiple origins and there is no single source.

Throughout the years, Kleihs has been a popular surname in Europe and many generations have carried this name. As a result, the spelling and variations of the name has changed and evolved over time.

In recent times, many people have reverted back to the original spelling, making Kleihs the most recognised version of the name today.

Famous people with the name Kleihs

• Dieter Kleihs (German actor and comedian)
• Ida Kleihs (German journalist, filmmaker, and author)
• Erich Kleihs (German composer, clarinetist, and conductor active in the 1940s: 1970s)
• Mathilde Kleihs (Singer of Schlager and traditional German music)
• Ria Kleihs (German actress who appeared in soap operas and films)
• Rainer Kleihs (German film director best known for his short films)
• Artur Kleihs (German playwright and theater director active in the first half of the 20th century)
• Gertrud Kleihs (German violinist and teacher of string techniques)
• Mercedes Kleihs (German politician, entrepreneur, and art collector) 10.Josef Kleihs (German sculptor and photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries)

Other surnames

Kleih