Surname Kleikamp - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kleikamp: What does the surname Kleikamp mean?
The last name Kleikamp is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word 'kleicamp', which is a combination of two words: 'klei' meaning 'clay' and 'kamp' meaning 'field'. The name originally referred to people who lived near a clay field, which was a common source of income for those living in the area.
Today, the last name Kleikamp often refers to families who have been living in an area for generations, with ties to the clay or clay-producing industries. Many older households in Germany still bear the name Kleikamp, indicating an incredibly long family history in the country.
The German name also exists in various forms and spellings around the world. For example, the Dutch version is Kleijkamp, and the last name can be found in the Netherlands, where it is also a result of German migration in the distant past. The United States is home to a number of Kleikamps, with the household name migrating to the States during the waves of German immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries.
As a result of its origin, the last name Kleikamp carries many connotations of German/European heritage as well as a close tie to the now disappearing trade of clay-making. Some of the oldest families who bear the last name still hold onto these strong ties to their past and today carry the legacy of the clay fields onward.
Order DNA origin analysisKleikamp: Where does the name Kleikamp come from?
The last name Kleikamp is a German name, and is used primarily in Germany today. It is a fairly common name, and often appears in records throughout the country. The name can also be found in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
The Kleikamp name is thought to have originated in the region now known as Germany during the Middle Ages. It likely evolved from a nickname referring to someone who was considered "clever". Over time, this nickname transitioned into a surname, and was taken on by numerous families.
Due to Germany's history of wars and migrations, the Kleikamp name has spread in recent years to countries like the United States and Canada. People with German roots may have brought the name to North America between the 17th - 19th centuries, and the first recorded birth of a child with this surname occurred in Baltimore, Maryland in 1765. In modern times, the Kleikamp name is primarily found in German-speaking countries, though it can still be seen in places outside of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kleikamp
The surname Kleikamp has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Klekamp, Klaikamp, Klaykamp, Kleikampff, Kleikampe, Clakamp, Clacamp, and Clankamp. This surname is also sometimes seen as Kleinkamp, but this is usually seen as a different origin.
Kleikamp can be both Dutch and German in origin. In Dutch, the surname is typically spelled Kleikamp and is derived from the Dutch verb “kleien,” which means “to tile or to paste.” The surname could also have been derived from a location name, possibly referring to a tiled land or land covered in tile houses.
In German, the surname Kleikamp is usually spelled Klekamp or Klaikamp and could have been derived from a habitational name derived from the town of Cleikamp in Westphalia.
The surname Kleikamp can also be seen spelled with a double “e” (Kleeikamp) which is a common variation. Similarly, the spelling Kleikampff is also commonly seen and refers to someone originally from the Kleikamp area or someone whose ancestors were.
In the United States, the spelling of the surname can also be seen as Clackamp. Clacamp and Clankamp are also variants of the same origin, although their origin is not known.
Famous people with the name Kleikamp
- Leon Kleikamp: German footballer who played for FC St. Pauli in the mid-2000s.
- Filip Kleikamp: German boxer who won the gold at the 2007 World Cadet Championships in Moscow.
- Carl Kleikamp: Dutch inventor of the Kleikamp Machine, which is used for removing badger hair from animal hides.
- Jerome Kleikamp: Belgian chef and restaurateur, best known for opening his popular restaurant “Le Bistro” in 1990.
- Henry Kleikamp: American politician and former Attorney General of Arkansas.
- Alden Kleikamp: Former American Navy pilot, decorated for his service in the Vietnam War.
- Linda Kleikamp: German economist, professor of Business studies at the University of Hamburg.
- Jean Kleikamp: Swiss musician and composer, best known for her work in musical theatre.
- Irene Kleikamp: Dutch sculptor who has exhibited her work internationally.
- Tyra Kleikamp: Australian model, winner of the prestigious Australian Cosmopolitan Model of the Year award in 2016.