Surname Klenke - Meaning and Origin

Klenke: What does the surname Klenke mean?

The last name Klenke is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word "klinc." This word translates to "little ones," and is commonly used to indicate something that is small or little in size.

The Klenke family name was first found in the Middle Ages in the north central states of Germany, mainly in Saxony and Thuringia, and was derived from numerous places in these states. Within these are the monastery of Klinc in Thuringia and Kleinkenrode, a castle in Saxony. Early records indicate that this family had held various posts in the government and military, even becoming Freiherren (baron) in Thuringia.

The Klenke family has spread around the world. It is associated with many countries and cultures, and even today, there are several branches located in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Given the background of this last name, it is no surprise that Klenke is often associated with strength and positive thinking. Strong and determined, these individuals often strive to do their best and help out when they can. Loyal and supportive, Klenke family members are excellent friends and family members, always looking out for those in need. Respected by others, their presence is never forgotten in a room.

Klenke: Where does the name Klenke come from?

The last name Klenke is most commonly found in the areas around the Rhineland in Germany. This region has one of the highest concentrations of people with the last name in the world.

The Rhineland is situated where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet and shares borders with Germany’s states of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Saarland. It is further split into two regions – the Central Rhineland and the Lower Rhineland. The Central Rhineland is home to more than 400,000 people using the Klenke surname, according to data gathered from German telephone books over the past eight decades. This is mainly due to a large number of immigrants who relocated to the area during the early 20th century.

By contrast, the Lower Rhineland area has an estimated population of about 200,000 people with the Klenke surname. This is mainly attributed to the fact that during the German Reunification, many people from East Germany fled to the Lower Rhineland in search of better opportunities. Hence, a significant number of people with the Klenke last name live in this region.

In addition to Germany, there is a sizeable population of Klenke in the United States, mostly descendants of people who emigrated from Germany in the late 19th and early 20th century. Fewer Klenke can be also found in the Czech Republic, Australia and other parts of the world.

Overall, the last name Klenke is today most commonly associated with the areas around the Rhineland in Germany.

Variations of the surname Klenke

The surname Klenke is derived from the German word "Klenk", which means curve or bend. Klenke is a spelling variant of Klienk, which was common in many areas of Germany in the 1700s and 1800s. Other spelling variants of Klenke include Kleinke, Kleinkeh, Klienke, Kleink, Klienken, Kleinken, Kleinken, Kleineke, Kleenke, Klinek, and Kleenk.

The Klienk and Klenke surnames are related, and may have stemmed from an ancestor who lived in a remote, curved area. It is possible that the surname derived from a geographic feature or a topographical description.

Surnames of similar origin to Klenke include Klinge, Klink, Klint, Kleinkopf, Klind, Kleindienst, Klimke, Kilimnik, Klimpt, and Klimpel. These surnames are all derived from "Klenken" which in German means to bend or curve.

The most common usage of the surname Klenke is in Germany and it is commonly found in East Central European regions like Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Klenke is related to many other surnames in these regions, such as Kleinke, Kleinkopf, Klimt, Kleindienst, and Klinke.

Surnames related to the Klenke surname have been found in the United States as early as 1800. The spelling variant Kline is the most common in the United States, and is likely a derivative of the German versions of the name. Other spelling variants include Klienk, Kleine, Kleenk, Kleinkeh, Kleink, Kleinken, Kleinken, and Kleineke.

In all, the surname Klenke has many variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin, all of which stemmed from an ancestor whose area of residence likely derived the name.

Famous people with the name Klenke

• Martin Klenke: Martin Klenke is an award-winning journalist and the executive director of the International Association of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He has a specialty in investigative reporting and has contributed to international projects which have helped to shed light on matters such as offshore finance and global corruption.
• Karl Klenke: Karl Klenke is a specialist in international criminal law and is the Director of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Bonn. He is also the Honorary Professor of International Criminal Law at Universität Greifswald.
• Lisa Klenke: Lisa Klenke is a professional athlete in the sport of skeleton racing. She represented Germany at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where she achieved a spot in the top ten. She is Germany's current national champion in the sport as well.
• Alexander Klenke: Alexander Klenke is a computer scientist and professor of software engineering at the Free University of Berlin. He is also an advisory board member of the German Federal Cyber Security Council and has been actively involved in the cybersecurity industry for several years.
• Suzanne Klenke: Suzanne Klenke is an American actress, best known for her role in the Netflix series Stranger Things. She has also had guest roles on shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Bloodline, and she is currently involved in various theater productions.
• Maria Klenke: Maria Klenke is a German-American cyclist who has represented both countries at world championship events. She has won multiple gold medals in national and international cycling competitions and is a certified trainer and coach.

Other surnames

Klenk