Surname Kleinmair - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinmair: What does the surname Kleinmair mean?
The last name Kleinmair is a German surname meaning "smaller, more". It is likely derived from Middle High German kleine, meaning "small", and maire or mair, meaning "mayor". The name may have originally referred to the leader of a town or village who was less prestigious than the greater mayor, or a person of lesser noble rank or lower social standing.
The surname Kleinmair first appears in Germany in the 15th century, particularly in Bavaria. It has since spread across Europe, and can even be found in the United States and Canada. Those who bear this name are likely the descendants of German settlers.
Today, Kleinmair is one of the most common surnames in Germany. It is also fairly common in Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Interestingly, those with this surname are more widely distributed across Europe than those with many other similar monikers.
The name Kleinmair is a source of pride for many German speakers. It is a reminder of their roots, and represents the strength and creativity of their ancestors. It is a distinctive part of their heritage, and is an important way to recognize and honor the community’s past.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinmair: Where does the name Kleinmair come from?
The surname Kleinmair is primarily a German name and can be found most commonly in contemporary Germany. It is, however, not limited to that region. The Austrian town of Ansfelden is the origin of many residents of Kleinmair heritage. Records also show that Kleinmair families have been present in the town of Markt Oberdorf in Bavaria in the early 1600's.
Kleinmair immigrants to the United States arrived mostly in the 19th century with settlers from the Germanic regions and other parts of Europe. States with significant populations of Kleinmairs include Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. It is also present in parts of Canada, mostly concentrated around Ontario. Immigrants to South Africa from Germany likely carried Kleinmair as their name, and it can also be found today in some Latin American countries such as Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Kleinmair is a rare surname in other parts of the world, but nonetheless it periodicially appears in search engines such as Geni, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com, which suggests that individuals with Kleinmair heritage are likely residing in places such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and France.
Variations of the surname Kleinmair
Kleinmair is a surname which has a number of variants and spellings depending on the geographic location and language. In Czech, it is spelled Kleinmajer, while in Polish it is spelled Kleinmajer or Kleinmajerz. In Yiddish, the name is spelled קליינמאָר and in German, it may be spelled Kleinmayer or Kleinmair. In English, the spelling and pronunciation are both the same as Kleinmair.
There are also a few other surnames with a similar origin, specifically Kleinmejer, Klinpeiker, and Kleingruber. The spelling Kleinmeyer has been known to be anglicized from the German spelling Kleinmayer. The spelling Klenpeiker is similar to Kleinmair but is derived from the Dutch and Jewish cultures, often with the parents of the individual having different cultural backgrounds. The spelling Kleingruber is derived from the German language and is sometimes an American adaptation of the spelling Kleinmair.
No matter what variant is used, Kleinmair as a surname is characteristic of not just one unique origin but of many cultures, indicative of the diverse backgrounds found in European surnames.
Famous people with the name Kleinmair
- Karl Kleinmair: Austrian-born football player who most recently played for FC Blau Weiss Linz in the Austrian Bundesliga.
- Franz Kleinmair: Austrian sculptor, primarily known for his works of historical realism and building monuments to honor fallen heroes.
- Martina Kleinmair: German politician and Senior Vice-Chair of the German Social Democratic Party.
- Herwig Kleinmair: Austrian journalist and television presenter.
- Emilia Kleinmair: Austrian skier who competes in alpine skiing and biathlon.
- Philipp Kleinmair: Austrian actor and director, best known for his work in television and film.
- Fridolin Kleinmair: Austrian skier who has competed in the European Cup between 2007 and 2011.
- Julian Kleinmair: Austrian professional skier who competes in the World Cup year-round.
- Traudl Kleinmair: German athlete and three-time Olympic competitor in biathlon.
- Gerti Kleinmair: Austrian Paralympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.