Surname Kleining - Meaning and Origin
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Kleining: What does the surname Kleining mean?
The last name Kleining is of German origin, and is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German meaning "little one". It is derived from the prefix "Klein" which means "small", and is often associated with names of people in small roles or positions, such as "Kleinsmann" meaning "servant", or "Kleinmeister" meaning "master of a minor craft".
The use of the name as a surname is thought to have originated in the 16th century due to the need on the part of the growing population to be able to distinguish one family from another, and to be able to accurately identify their origins. It is also thought that the origin of the Kleining surname may have been an occupational name, perhaps for a smith, or someone who worked with small objects.
The Kleining last name is well represented throughout Europe, and is particularly associated with the German-speaking countries, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. It is also found in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In America, the number of people holding the Kleining last name is estimated to be 19,000 people - this is a fairly small population in comparison to other surnames in the United States. Interestingly, of these, nearly 60% are located in just two states, Pennsylvania and New York, potentially indicating a recent emigration of this family name from Europe.
Overall, the Kleining last name is associated with a Germanic origin, although its exact meaning may remain unknown. It is likely that the last name has its root in a descriptive term, either consciously or unconsciously given. Nonetheless, this name is still carried by thousands of people throughout the world today, and is sure to continue on into the future.
Order DNA origin analysisKleining: Where does the name Kleining come from?
The last name Kleining is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, and it is believed to originate from Germany. It is unclear where exactly the family originated from or what its earliest historical records are. In Germany, the Kleining family has had a presence for many centuries. In the early 20th century, the Kleinings were mainly concentrated in Westphalia and the Rhineland-Palatinate.
In the present day, Kleining is most common in other Germanic countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands. According to the census data, some Kleinings may have migrated to the United States, Australia, Canada, and South Africa. Due to the nature of surname migration, it may be difficult to trace the exact geographical distribution of this name.
The meaning of the surname is not known for certain. It is believed that the surname derives from a German word meaning "small", and the families may have taken on this name to signify a small but significant family presence. This is further supported by the fact that the surname may also derive from the German verb meaning "to klippen", which translates to cut. This could suggest that the Kleining family was involved in activities such as stonecutting or metalcrafting.
Overall, the last name Kleining is mainly a German name that can be found in other Germanic countries. Despite the unknown origin story of this name, it is safe to say that the Kleining family has existed for many centuries.
Variations of the surname Kleining
Kleining is a relatively uncommon German and Dutch surname. Variations of the surname include Kleininger, Kleyning, Kleenig, Kleenige, Kleynig, Kleenig, and Kleynige. Although these spellings vary, all of them point to the same origin.
This surname is derived from the Middle High German word 'kleingin', meaning 'chosen one' or 'elected one'. It was originally a nickname given to the most influential or powerful member of the family. Over time, it came to be used as a surname.
In some cases, the 'g' in this surname has been replaced with a 'j', resulting in the variants Kleinin, Kleininger, Kleynin, Kleyniniger, and Kleyninger.
The surname Kleining may also be found spelled as Kleinening, Kleenin, Kleeninge, Kleinig, Kleenigge, Kleininger, Kleinonge, and Kleenonge.
Kleyn, Kleen, and Kleien are other variations of this surname. In some cases, the 'i' in these variants has been replaced with a 'y', resulting in spellings such as Kleyner, Kleyni, and Kleyng.
Finally, family members who emigrated to the Americas often changed the spelling of their surname to make it sound more English. Examples of these variants include Kleininger, Kleener, Cleininger, Cleininger, Cleiner, Kleenly, and Kleenley.
Famous people with the name Kleining
- Philipp Klementing: German actor and preserve of the environment.
- Ray Kleining: Former American college athlete and coach.
- Heinz Kleining: German physicist and expert in general relativity.
- Gaby Kleining: German Actress and television personality.
- Louis Kleining: Dutch Scientist and inventor of self-regulating refrigeration technology.
- Bonnie Kleining: American educator and recipient of the "Distinguished Educator Award".
- Heinz Kleining: German industrialist and entrepreneur.
- Will Kleining: American Industrial engineer and founder of the company Kleining Automation.
- Martin Kleining: German composer and musician.
- Thomas Kleining: Swiss ophthalmologist and researcher.