Surname Kleil - Meaning and Origin
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Kleil: What does the surname Kleil mean?
The last name Kleil is of German origin derived from a short form of the German name Nikolaus. The name literally translates to ‘imitation’, ‘little Nicholas’ or ‘little Nick’. It is believed to have been popularized by medieval German families during the Holy Roman Empire, and has since spread to many countries all around the world.
The name Kleil has been known to have many spellings over the years, with some of the more common variations including Kleyle, Kliell, Klye, Kliehl, and Kleile. Each of these variations is thought to be derived from the German spelling of the name, Krähle, which was the original form of the name.
Kleil may also be an Anglicized version of the Irish surname MacLeil, which is derived from the Gaelic mac an Leagha, meaning "son of the leac," or "son of the stone." The surname is predominantly found in areas such as Leinster, and would have been created in reference to the prehistoric monument.
In terms of meaning, it is believed that the last name Kleil symbolizes loyalty, perseverance and intelligence. It could also signify qualities such as dependability, trustworthiness and reliability, which is something that many families around the world have come to respect and appreciate. Having German and Irish roots, it is understandable why many people have come to embrace the last name Kleil.
Order DNA origin analysisKleil: Where does the name Kleil come from?
Today, the surname Kleil is most commonly seen among Ashkenazi Jews, particularly of Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Belarusian, and Lithuanian Origin. The surname is typically derived from the Yiddish word “Kleyl” or “Kleil” meaning small – and is likely a sign of a diminutive form of the given name.
The surname is most commonly found in large Jewish populations in the United States, specifically in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Kleil surname is also found in other countries, with notable populations in Canada, England, Israel, Australia, and Russia.
In the United States, records from the Immigration and Naturalization Service between 1903 and 1906 list over 200 Kleil arriving from different communities around what is now Russia and Ukraine. This suggest the Kleil family originated in the area and began immigrating to the U.S. before the early 20th century.
The Kleil surname can be found in the Jewish community, appearing in many censuses and other documents. In addition, many directories from the 19th and 20th centuries reveal the spread of the Kleil surname throughout the world.
In many cases, the Kleil surname is also found in a variety of Jewish records, including vital records such as birth certificates, marriage records, and death records. It is also sometimes found in lists of Jewish individuals that were given special exemption from certain laws or, more tragically, records of Jews that were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust. In those cases, the Kleil surname serves as a tragic reminder of the family’s past, even if the name is otherwise found among many other Jewish families today.
Variations of the surname Kleil
Kleil is a surname that originated in Germany and has several spelling variations and derivatives. It is derived from the German word 'Klug', which means 'clever' or 'wise', and the suffix 'leil' which originates from 'Lagail', an old German word which means 'power'.
The most common forms of the surname include Klyeil, Kleyel, Kliehl, Kliehl, Klehl and Klehel. In some cases, Kleil may also be written as Klegell. In addition to these variants, Kleil also has derivatives that include Klenz, Kleinschmidt, Kleinfeld, Kleinhans, Kleinschmied and Kleinschmid.
Klenz is derived from the German verb 'klennen', which means 'to cleanse'. This form of the surname is often seen in eastern Germany and the former East German states, while in more western regions it is usually written as Kleil. Kleinfeld is a variant with German roots, with the 'feld' portion of the word meaning 'field', whilst the surname Kleinhans is a combination of 'Klein', which means 'small' and 'hans' which means 'worker'. Kleinschmied and Kleinschmid are both derived from the German word 'schmied' meaning 'smith', while Kleinschmidt is derived from the German word 'schmidt' meaning 'blacksmith'.
In some cases, Kleil has also been found spelled as Klail and Klaile. These are likely a variant of the spelling that emerged in America, as many German immigrants changed their surnames upon arriving in the United States.
Famous people with the name Kleil
- Bob Klieil: American editorial cartoonist
- Dave Klieil: English singer, songwriter and musician
- James Klieil: American professional wrestler
- Karl Klieil: American television journalist
- Michael Klieil: American computer scientist
- Richard Klieil: American author and consultant
- Stephen Klieil: American television and film producer
- Tom Klieil: American gospel singer
- Lorna Klieil: Canadian actor and filmmaker
- Paul Klieil: American folk and rock musician