Surname Kleißer - Meaning and Origin

Kleißer: What does the surname Kleißer mean?

The last name Kleißer is of German origin and can be found mostly in southern Germany. The literal meaning of Kleißer is “clay” or “clay potter,” and the name is likely derived from the occupation of a person who worked with clay. The name is likely to have originated in a family-run pottery business, which would have been popular in the region.

Most Kleißer’s who immigrated to the United States of America settled in Pennsylvania, and the area eventually became known as ‘Kleinstown’ in honour of their family name.

Kleißer is a rather rare name, but it has seen some fluctuations in prevalence in recent centuries. The spelling is usually spelt as “Kleißer,” but other spellings can occasionally appear, such as “Kleiser,” “Klaisser,” and “Kleysser.”

Typically, the name is associated with the kind and generous qualities of its early ancestors, who were known for their willingness to lend their time and resources to aid friends and strangers who were in need. As such, many members of the Kleißer family are known for their kindness and respect for others.

Today, the name Kleißer is found all over the world and brings a sense of pride to those who bear it. Whether it is the clay-making occupation of their ancestors, or the deep-rooted kindness for which they are known, the Kleißer name stands for something meaningful.

Kleißer: Where does the name Kleißer come from?

The last name Kleißer is mostly commonly found today in Germany. It is an interesting surname, because it has many possible meanings. Kleißer could be derived from the German word kleißen (to sew), or it could be a variant of the German surname Kleissner or Kleisner, which was once a word used to designate people who worked with felt or wool. It is also possible that the surname is derived from Klesner, a term used in some parts of Bavaria for a type of tax collector.

The surname is now common in most parts of Germany, but the most significant concentration is found in the Rhineland region, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In this region it is especially common in the cities of Düsseldorf, Köln (Cologne), and Essen, where it ranks tenth, seventeenth, and nineteenth, respectively, among the most common last names in the region.

The surname is also ubiquitous throughout the German-speaking world. According to the 2008 Directory of the World's Surnames, it is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, among other countries.

In summary, the last name Kleißer can be found in Germany and throughout the German-speaking world today. Originally derived from words like kleißen or klesner, the name is most commonly encountered in North Rhine-Westphalia, and in the cities of Düsseldorf, Köln (Cologne), and Essen.

Variations of the surname Kleißer

The surname Kleißer (or Kleisser) is of German origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this surname include Kleyisser, Kleezer, Kleiser, Kleisser, Kleuser, Kleusner, Kleyzor, Klazer, and Kleiss.

The variants and spellings of Kleißer most often come from frequent changes to the spelling of fourteenth-century Germanic surnames due to the spoken language of the time. As it was common for people to record their names by speaking it to a scribe, changes could easily happen during the recording process. Local dialects and accents also had an effect on the spelling of surnames.

Kleyisser and Kleezer are two of the most common variants of Kleisser, and the differences between them stem from the omissions and additions of letters. Kleyisser omits the ‘i’ in Kleißer while Kleezer adds an additional ‘e’. Kleiser and Kleisser are also common spellings.

Kleuser, Kleusner, Klazer and Kleyzor are likely from an altered spelling of the surname used to track families across a large area, such as a county. This would allow family members to be easily located.

The variation of surnames with the same root – Kleißer – emphasize the idea that your family name can take many forms and still share the same origin. Variations and spellings of surnames often give clues to the cultural and geographical origin of your family and an indication of their history.

Famous people with the name Kleißer

• Yannick Kleißer, German football player
• Dr. habil. Wulf Kleißer, German director
• Tomma Kleißer, German mixed media artist
• Johannes Kleißer, German singer, songwriter and producer
• Diana Kleißer, German singer, music producer and songwriter
• Sven Kleißer, German actor
• Christoph Kleißer, German writer
• Franz Josef Kleißer, German theater director
• Elisabeth Kleißer, German sculptor
• Dr. Heinrich Kleißer, German composer
• Verena Kleißer, German actress
• Petra Kleißer, German professor
• Ulrike Kleißer, German illustrator
• Paul Kleißer, German tenor
• Johannes Kleißer, German actor
• Nico Kleißer, German footballer
• Eva Kleißer, German biologist
• Maximilian Kleißer, German violist
• Harald Kleißer, German musician
• Helmut Kleißer, German tenor
• Hanns Kleißer, German Actor

Other surnames

Kleißen