Surname Kleisner - Meaning and Origin
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Kleisner: What does the surname Kleisner mean?
The last name Kleisner is of German, Jewish, and Dutch origin. It is generally believed to have derived from the Middle High German term “Kleinschneider,” meaning small tailor or seamstress in English. It is believed that this name was adopted by families involved in the clothing business, most likely as makers or sellers of fabric and clothing. The use of "Kleinschneider" was evidently so widespread, that at the start of the 18th century, its variant "Kleisner" started to appear in records, eventually catching on in popularity.
The Kleisner name is one of many occupational names that has endured through the ages, remaining recognizable even in modern times. Variations of this surname include Kleinschneider, Klienschneider, Kleinschnyder, Kleinzneider, Kleinschnider and Kleinschinder. It is especially common among Jewish families, and shares much of its history and cultural heritage with the German and Dutch-speaking communities. In addition, a few records indicate that some families with the Kleisner name may have originated from regions of Poland, Germany, and Hungary.
Today, the Kleisner surname is distributed throughout Europe, North America, and Australia, having spread across the world largely due to migration and relocation over the course of several centuries. Though the specific number of people with the Kleisner surname is uncertain, its presence in several nations suggests a sizable, ongoing legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKleisner: Where does the name Kleisner come from?
The surname Kleisner is most commonly found in Germany today, with the highest concentration of the name in Bavaria and Hessen.
The origin of the surname is believed to have come from the Hebrew word "Klei", which was an occupational name given to those who collected and manufactured pottery and clay.
The first mention of the Kleisner surname in Germany dates back to the early 1600s in Bavaria. It is believed that the Kleisners originally lived in Prussia at some point before that, and traveled to Germany searching for a better life.
The surname quickly spread from Bavaria into other German states, such as Hessen, and some believe that it spread to other countries, such as the Czech Republic and Austria, when Bavarians were forced to move west due to wars between Germany and Austria.
Today, the Kleisner surname is still quite common throughout Germany, although it's not as prominent as it once was. It can also be found in a few other countries, such as the Czech Republic, Austria, and the United States of America.
Overall, the Kleisner surname is still a somewhat popular German surname, and is a reminder of the family's ancient history.
Variations of the surname Kleisner
The surname Kleisner has a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Klesner, Klesner, Klessner, Clessner, Claßner, Classner, Klaßner, Klassner, Klesener, and Kleiser.
Kleisner is an Ashkenazic surname, originating in the German regions of Germany. The name is derived from the old German word ‘Kleis’ which means ‘an enclosure’, and the ‘ner’ suffix meaning ‘inhabitant of’. This suggests that the surname originally referred to people living in the enclosed settlements or towns of ‘Kleis’ or surrounding area.
The double ‘s’ variant of Klessner is likely to have originated from the Palatinate region of Germany, while the double ‘ß’ variant Kaßner was likely to have originated from the Hanover region of Germany. The spelling Clessner originated in the German regions of Braunschweig and Hannover, and the double ‘ß’ variant Claßner is likely to have originated from the Pomeranian region of Germany.
The spelling Kleiser is likely to have originated from the regions of Holstein and Schleswig-Holstein. Likewise, the spelling Klesner originated from the Palatinate region of Germany. Klesener is likely to have originated from the regions of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The origin of the surname remains uncertain, however, the spelling Klesner is likely to have its roots in the German regions of the Palatinate and Pomerania. Its many variant spellings support the idea that the surname Kleisner is related to an unspecified location. Ultimately, the development of the name and its many spellings over time has made it difficult to accurately pinpoint the origin of the Kleisner surname.
Famous people with the name Kleisner
- Simone Kleinsma: Singer, songwriter and television presenter
- Ladislav Kleisner: Renowned Czech film director
- Peter Kleisner: Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Chicago
- Michael Kleisner: National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
- Julie Kleisner: Award-winning independent film filmmaker and director
- Varavara Rao Kleisner: Political activist and freedom fighter
- Antonella Kleisner: World-renowned jewelry designer
- Dr. James Kleisner III: Neurosurgeon and researcher
- Dimitry Kleisner: Passerby of the Nobel Peace Prize
- John Kleisner: Legendary sculptor and visual artist
- Theodore Kleisner: Noted Bible scholar
- Henri Kleisner: Jazz musician and composer
- Martin Kleisner: Nobel Prize-winning physicist
- Marguerite Kleisner: Humanitarian, philanthropist and activist
- Ramsey Kleisner: Thoroughbred horse trainer and breeder
- Robert Kleisner: History professor at Arizona State University
- Emil Kleisner: Award-winning Czech photographer and cinematographer
- Dr. Laurence Kleisner: Orthopedist and spine specialist
- Philippe Kleisner: French contemporary painter
- Lourie Kleisner: Famous American portrait and still-life painter.