Surname Kleinikauf - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinikauf: What does the surname Kleinikauf mean?
Kleinikauf is a German surname derived from the German words "klein" and "kauf", which respectively mean "small" and "purchase." It is speculated that the surname came from an ancestor who made small purchases, either as a merchant or tradesman.
In German society, surnames that start with "Klein-" typically suggest that the family originally came from a small village or town. Individuals with the Kleinikauf surname are believed to have had access to a less than affluent lifestyle.
The surname Kleinikauf is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as well as in countries that have significant populations with ancestry from German-speaking countries, such as the United States.
The common meaning of the family name is someone who is engaged in buying and selling small items, which today could be anything from groceries to small electronic items or supplies. As the global economy grows it is likely that many individuals who carry the Kleinikauf surname are successful entrepreneurs.
Although the original meaning of the surname is quite simple, and perhaps even humble, Kleinikauf continues to signify an honest profession to this day, making it an auspicious and proud name to bring into the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinikauf: Where does the name Kleinikauf come from?
Kleinikauf is a German surname derived from Kleine Kauf, meaning "little purchase". It is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, but can also be found in other German-speaking countries and in countries with German diaspora populations.
In Germany, Kleinikauf is concentrated mainly in the former East Germany, but has also been found in some areas of western Germany, such as Bavaria and the Rhineland-Palatinate. This could be attributed to the settling of East German immigrants in these parts of the country after the reunification of Germany.
Kleinikauf can also be found in Hungary and the United States. In the U.S., areas with large German populations such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and the Midwest have seen Kleinikauf names pop up.
Outside of Germany and the U.S., Kleinikauf has been found in countries such as Canada, Australia, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland.
Overall, the Kleinikauf surname can be found all over the world, but appears to be mostly concentrated in Germany. Despite its small population, those with the surname are proud to carry on the family legacy.
Variations of the surname Kleinikauf
Kleinikauf is a German surname that is derived from the term ‘Klein-Kauf’ which means ‘Little Purchase’. It is one of the many surnames which originated in the German language and it has various variants and spellings.
One of the variants of Kleinikauf is Kleinikauff, which is spelled with two ‘F’s at the end. Another variant is Kleinekauef, while another one is Kleinekaueff. The variants of Kleinikauf also include Krankikauf, Klinkikauf, Kleinikoff, Kleinkauff and Klinkenkauf.
Kleinikauf is also one of the many surnames which have multiple spellings and surnames of the same origin. The spellings of the surname Kleinikauf include Kleinkauf, Kleinkoff, Klinkikoff and Klienkauff. Similarly, the surnames of the same origin are Kleinikauff, Kleinekauef, Kleinekaueff, Krankikauf, Klinkikauf, Kleinikoff and Klinkenkauf.
All of these variants, spellings and surnames are derived from the origin surname Kleinikauf, which is itself derived from the term ‘Klein-Kauf’. This term is believed to refer to a ‘little purchase’ and has been used in the German language for many years.
Famous people with the name Kleinikauf
- Robert Kleinikauf (born 1950), German footballer
- Jeannette Kleinikauf (born 1965), German broadcaster and journalist
- F.C. Kleinikauf (born 1875), Austrian entomologist
- Guenther Kleinikauf (born 1938), German alpine skier
- Joseph Kleinikauf (1852–1904), German-American historical painter
- Richard Kleinikauf (1922–1976), German Olympic wrestler
- Judy Kleinikauf (born 1969), American attorney and disability rights activist
- Wolfgang Kleinikauf (born 1980), German bobsled coach
- Rudi Kleinikauf (born 1956), Austrian TV personality
- Elfriede Kleinikauf (1925–2015), German sculptor