Surname Kleiser - Meaning and Origin
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Kleiser: What does the surname Kleiser mean?
The last name Kleiser is of German origin and is derived from the word Kleis, which means "clay pit." The name likely originated as an occupational surname denoting someone who worked in or owned a clay pit. In Middle High German, the word kleis (‘clay hole’) was derived from a Proto-Baltic *klei- to denote a type of raw material from which pottery was made. In modern German, the word is typically spelled Kleis, and the associated surname from the early modern period is usually seen spelled in this manner as well.
In the Netherlands, the name is often seen spelled as Kleijser and could also be a variant form of the name Kleisser. The Kleisser name is also of German origin, and could mean ‘river clay’.
The family name first began being used as a surname during the Medieval period, when surnames were first adopted in the Germanic regions. In some cases, people were identified by which village they lived in. Others were identified by what job they had. In the case with the surname Kleiser, it is believed that the family name was given to those who worked at or owned clay pits.
Today, the surname Kleiser is still common throughout Germany but can also be found in various other countries around the world due to migration. It is unclear how many people currently bear this last name, but based on records from the early modern period, it appears to have been quite popular.
Order DNA origin analysisKleiser: Where does the name Kleiser come from?
The last name Kleiser is common today primarily in Germany and much of Western Europe, particularly Switzerland. In the United States, the name Kleiser is much less common but can still be found — mainly in Pennsylvania and in other states that had strong German settlements in the late 1800s and early 1900s (such as Wisconsin, Texas, and Iowa). The most populous concentrations of the Kleiser name are in the larger cities on the eastern seaboard — notably New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
In terms of its origin, the Kleiser surname is of Germanic and Swiss origin, likely derived from the root ‘Klesser’ which means ‘barn’ or ‘stairs'. It is thought to have originated in Swabia in Germany, and to have been brought to the United States by German or Swiss immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
As for its meaning, the name Kleiser translates to a ‘clever’ person, a ‘craftsman’, or an 'astute’ individual. This likely comes from the original German root Klesser which likely denoted an individual proficient at making stairs or barns – two skills valued during a time of limited technology.
Variations of the surname Kleiser
Kleiser is a German surname that is most commonly found in the former German territories. It can be spelled in various ways, such as Kleiser, Kleyzer, Kleijser, Kleyzer, Kleijzer, Kleiser, Kleeser, Kloiser, and Kleser. A variant of this surname is Klaisser.
The spelling of Kleiser can also vary depending on the region the person is from. It can be spelled Kleser (Bavaria), Kleiser, Kloiser (Silesia and Posen), or Kleyser (West Prussia). Other spelling variants include Klisser, Klyser, Klesor, Klesser, and Kleafler.
Additionally, the surname may have evolved and can be found in various surnames such as Klesert, Kleyzor, Kletterer, Klefert, and Kliesser. Other surnames that are derived from Kleiser are Kleisinger, Kleiber, Kleibauer, Kleinian, Kletchner, Kleinfelder, Claiser, and Klise.
While the spelling of the surname may differ depending on the region, the origin remains the same. All the variants of the surname derive from the German word "kleiser," which meant to "blow" or "buddle." Many of the variations have arisen due to different dialects and accents of people from different regions.
Famous people with the name Kleiser
- Walter Slezak: Austrian-American character actor
- Paul Kleiser: NFL offensive lineman
- Susan Kleiser: author and lecturer
- Bernice Kleiser: German-born American filmmaker
- Harry Kleiser: American drag racer, member of the National Hot Rod Association Hall of Fame
- Clare Kleiser: American pianist and composer
- Ruth Kleiser: Israeli photographer and cinematographer
- Laura Kleiser: German actress
- Harvey Kleiser: American Marine Corps pilot, awarded the Medal of Honor
- Steven Kleiser: sculptor, author, and teacher