Surname Kleßmann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleßmann: What does the surname Kleßmann mean?
The last name Kleßmann is of German origin and is a variant of the name Klessman. It is derived from the Old German name “Klez” which literally translates to “little cleat”, referring to a wooden shoe. The name was probably used to describe somebody who made or wore such foot-wear.
Nowadays, the name is mainly found in north-western Germany and is not recorded outside of that region. During the franks migration, it was spread across the mid-western German states.
The Kleßmann family is said to have originated in the city of Bremen, where in the 12th century a member of the family held a high position in the court of the ruling counts. By the 14th century, a man with the name Kleßmann was recorded in Hamburg. During the 16th century, the Kleßmann family moved to other parts of Germany, such as Alsace and Bavaria.
The spelling of the name has varied significantly over the years, with some of the most common being Klüßmann, Klessman, and Klößmann. The current spelling is the result of a standardisation process by the Nazi authorities in the 1930s.
Today, Kleßmann is still a relatively uncommon surname, not found in many history books, but is certainly a meaningful name with a long and storied history. It is a reminder of the journey that the Kleßmann family has made over many centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKleßmann: Where does the name Kleßmann come from?
The last name Kleßmann is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to have originated in the old kingdom of Prussia, and more specifically in the area between Mecklenburg and East Prussia. It is derived from the German word "kleß", which was a term for a small hillock.
In Germany, the last name Kleßmann can be found throughout the country, although its concentration is typically the highest in the northern regions. The last name can also be found outside of Germany, though to a much lesser extent. In particular, the name can be found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands.
In the United States, Kleßmann is less common. The name first began to appear in the early to mid twentieth century, when immigrants from Germany and the surrounding areas began to arrive in America. Despite the small number of people with the name that can be found in the United States, it continues to be the same name in spelling and pronunciation, with no significant changes.
In popular culture, the Kleßmann name has become rather prominent. Max Kleßmann is the name of the dragon featured in the movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". In the online game RuneScape, "Kleßmann's Dragon Cane" is an item that players must collect and use as part of their quest.
Overall, the Kleßmann name is most commonly found in Germany today, but is also distributed throughout other German-speaking countries and America. It is derived from an old term for a small hillock, and carries with it meaningful cultural references and connotations.
Variations of the surname Kleßmann
The surname Kleßmann is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German klǣsen meaning 'to collect, to accumulate'. Variations of the surname include Kleßman, Klesmann, Klessman, Kleßmann, Klessmann, Klessman, Kleßman, Klyßman, Cleßmann, Cleßman, Clyssman, Clessmann, Clessman, Clysman, Klayßmann, Klayßman, Klemman, Klayman, Kendziora, and Kendzior.
The Kleßmann spelling, being of German origin, is commonly found as Klëssman in German areas or Klesman in Dutch areas. It is less common in other areas of Europe, yet some variations are found in Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the former Czechoslovakia.
The surname has also spread to the United States and Canada, with the spelling often adapted to what the immigrants found easier or customary. Common adaptations in the United States include, Klesman, Klessmann, Clessman, Clessmann, Klassman, and Klassmann. Alongside this, many spelling variations were anglicized to the names Kleisman, Kilesman, Kishman, and Kitzman.
In its home country, Germany, Kleßmann remains a fairly popular surname though it is not exclusive to the German language. Its many variations have made it a surname found all over the world, where it has been adapted in a variety of spellings depending on the region.
Famous people with the name Kleßmann
- Adolf Kleßmann (1905-1941), German doctor, professor, and resistance fighter.
- Waldemar Kleßmann (1917-2010), German historian and social scientist.
- Rüdiger Kleßmann (1942), German author, philosopher, and theologian.
- Petr Klessmann (1918-2002), Czech film director.
- Gertrud Kleßmann (1936-2018), German actress and voice actress.
- Peter Kleßmann (1985), German author and video game journalist.
- Helmut Kleßmann (1928-2011), German sinologist, representative of Chinese and Tibetan culture.
- Hans-Joachim Kleßmann (1917-2004), German doctor, orientalist, and Sinologist.
- Kazimierz Kleßmann (1902-1947), Polish mathematician.
- Václav Klešman (1948-2015), Czech composer, educator, and musicologist.
- Sylke Kleßmann (born 1950), German actress and voice actress.
- Ernst Kleßmann (1902-1983), German pastor and church historian.
- Hanna Kleßmann (born 1945), German ophthalmologist and external professor at the University of Heidelberg.
- Leopold Kleßmann (1906-1954), German religious scholar and theologian.
- Hans-Peter Kleßmann (born 1965), German author and publisher.
- Stephan Kleßmann (born 1982), German football player.
- Wolfgang Kleßmann (1908-1945), German senior officer in the Luftwaffe during World War II.
- Winfried Kleßmann (born 1943), German political scientist and philosopher.
- Frank Kleßmann (born 1953), German artist and composer.
- Jochen Kleßmann (born 1952), German canoe slalom racer.