Surname Kleinschnitger - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinschnitger: What does the surname Kleinschnitger mean?
Kleinschnitger is a German surname derived from two individual words, “klein” and “schneider”. When combined, these two words can be translated to mean “little tailor”. This suggests that individuals who held this surname were likely tailors or otherwise connected to the tailoring industry at some point in time.
This type of surname is known as an occupational surname, which is a type of surname used to describe one’s profession in occupational terms. Other types of occupational surnames include names such as Brewer, Smith, Miller, and Farmer.
Evidence suggests that individuals with the Kleinschnitger surname hailed from the German-speaking Alsace region of France. It is likely that these individuals held the profession of tailoring for some time. The use of occupational surnames such as Kleinschnitger date back to the early 18th century.
This type of name is still used today to denote one's profession or trade. If one were to ask a Kleinschnitger today what their surname stands for, they likely would tell you that their ancestors were affiliated with tailoring in some capacity. Considering the longevity of this surname, it is likely that many individuals in a given Kleinschnitger lineage have carried on the tailoring legacy for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinschnitger: Where does the name Kleinschnitger come from?
The last name Kleinschnitger is mainly found today in Germany, in a region known as the Rhineland. The Rhineland is comprised of the western regions of Germany, specifically the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.
The Kleinschnitger name comes from the surname Klein - meaning small or little - which is believed to come from the Latin language word parvulus meaning small or tiny. Combined with Schnitger, a name which originates from the word “schneideger” meaning cutter.
The surname is even found in records from medieval times when the Kleinschnitger family was from areas now in Germany. Documents from the 15th century note the presence of the Kleinschnitgers in the historic Harz region in Germany. Records from the 15th century show the presence of the Kleinschnitgers in lands now part of Germany and since then they have likely spread and become more widespread.
Today, the Kleinschnitger surname can still be found in the Rhineland, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. Historically they have also been found in other parts of Germany, such as the Harz Region as well as in other parts of Europe. It is likely that due to the mobility of people today, the name is more widely dispersed throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kleinschnitger
Kleinschnitger is a surname which can have a variety of variants, spellings, and even other surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of this name is Kleinschmidt, which is a variant spelling with a slightly different spelling of the word “schmidt”. It is also common for the name to be shortened to Klein or Kleins for simplicity, primarily outside of Germany. Although the spelling of this name is fairly consistent, certain regions such as the Netherlands have their own spellings, such as Kleinsmeijer, Kleinsmieder, or Kleinsmit.
Other surnames of the same origin include Klinck, Kleine, Kleinert, Kleyn, and Kleen. This is because the root word of Kleinschnitger is Klein, which is German for “small” or “little”. Therefore, any surname that includes this root word would be considered a surname of the same origin.
In conclusion, there are a variety of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for the surname Kleinschnitger. These include Kleinschmidt, Klein, Kleinsmeijer, Kleinsmieder, Kleinsmit, Klinck, Kleine, Kleinert, Kleyn, and Kleen. Each of these represent the same meaning as Kleinschnitger, which is “small” or “little” in German.
Famous people with the name Kleinschnitger
- Maurice Kleinschnitger: former French athlete who won medals in both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
- Hugo Kleinschnitger: German footballer who played for Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Dorothy Kleinschnitger: Canadian abstract painter.
- Frans Kleinschnitger: Dutch photographer known for his aerial shots.
- Joe Kleinschnitger: American bodybuilder and winner of multiple fitness competitions.
- Heinz Kleinschnitger: German sound engineer who has worked with several popular bands.
- Günther Kleinschnitger: Austrian sculptor distinguished for his abstract art.
- Pete Kleinschnitger: American football defensive tackle who played for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Ingrid Kleinschnitger: Dutch children's book author who has won multiple awards.
- Hendrika Kleinschnitger: Dutch portrait painter specializing in religious themes.