Surname Kleinekathoefer - Meaning and Origin

Kleinekathoefer: What does the surname Kleinekathoefer mean?

The last name Kleinekathoefer is an occupational name of Germanic origin that comes from the Middle High German language. It is composed of two elements, kleine and kathoefer. In general terms, the meaning of the name is “small smith”. Kleine is an adjective meaning "little" or "small", while kathoefer is a noun meaning “smith”. Throughout history, the spelling of the name has changed a few times and variations of the name include Kleinkathofer, Kleinkathoefer, Klein Katherfer, Klein Katherfoer, and Kleyn Cathof.

When examining the origins of the Kleinekathoefer name, the first records appear in the 14th century in Germany and Spain. During this period, the Bellicini family of northern Italy used the name Kleinkathofer as part of their coat of arms. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the name was popularized in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Today, the Kleinekathoefer surname is most common in Austria. The name continues to be used as an occupational name for blacksmiths, however, it is also used by many individuals as a family name. In modern times, those who bear the name tend to have a strong sense of pride in their family heritage and often pass down the name and its associated stories over generations.

Kleinekathoefer: Where does the name Kleinekathoefer come from?

The last name Kleinekathoefer is generally seen as a German surname. It can be found primarily in Germany, as well as in Austria and Switzerland. Few Kleinekathoefers have emigrated from Germany, so the family name is rarely seen outside of these German-speaking countries today. Many Kleinekathoefers also have branches of their family in Germany’s neighbor Poland.

The exact origins of the Kleinekathoefer surname are not known. It is a German patronymic surname which means “son of Kleinekathoefer”; Kleinekathoefer being a name made up of two elements from the German language. Kleine means "small" and kathoefer means "cooper." This has lead some to step to the conclusion that the Kleinekathoefers were a family of German cooper makers and craftspeople.

The Kleinekathoefer surname is not one of the most common ones in German-speaking countries, but it is still well known and can be found in many places. The Kleinekathoefers are a small but noteworthy family and their story is still unfolding.

Variations of the surname Kleinekathoefer

Kleinekathoefer is a German-origin surname that is a compound name typically found in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. It is composed of the words ‘klein’ meaning small, ‘ka’ as in Karl, and ‘thoefer’, meaning one who works with a hammer. Variations of the Kleinekathoefer surname include Kleinkathofer, Kleinekatoefer, Kleinkekathofer, Kleinkotheofer and Kleinkothofer.

In some rare cases, the name may also contain the spelling variation of Klynekathoefer or Klainkathoefer. All of the variations listed above are often believed to be derived from the same surname.

The surname can also take on a variety of other forms such as Kleinekathefer, Kleinekothefer, Kleinkatefer, Kleinekathofer, Kleinkathefer, Kleinkotefer, Kleinkothafer and Kleinkatfer. Additionally, surnames such as Kleinkekthefer, Kleinkenthofer, Kleinekethofer and Kleinekatthofer may be found as versions of the same name.

Kleinekathoefer is an interesting and rare surname and its many variations may have derived from a combination of traditionally German names, or simply through clerical errors in record keeping over time. Many of the variants of the Kleinekathoefer surname can be found in the region of its origin in Germany, but due to its uniqueness it is also seen in various European countries and even the United States.

Famous people with the name Kleinekathoefer

• Claudia Kleinekathöfer: politician and professor in European Constitutions
• Fabian Kleinekathöfer: professional soccer player
• Petra Kleinekathöfer: actress
• Henning Kleinekathöfer: politician and editor for various German newspapers
• Regina Kleinekathöfer: Germany's first female Olympic gold medalist in shooting
• Stefan Kleinekathöfer: composer
• Robert Kleinekathöfer: songwriter and musician
• Wolfgang Kleinekathöfer: artist and sculptor
• Karl Kleinekathöfer: engineer and inventor of various industrial technologies
• Margaret Kleinekathöfer: author and poet

Other surnames

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