Surname Klettner - Meaning and Origin
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Klettner: What does the surname Klettner mean?
The last name Klettner is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "Kluit", which means "small" or "petite". The surname Klettner may have been originally assigned to individuals of smaller stature. It may have also been adopted by people with occupations involving small objects or actions, such as a glazier, a caulker or a button maker.
The surname Klettner is found mostly in Europe and is common in Germany and Austria. It is also widely-used in other Germanic countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark. In the United States, it is primarily found in the Eastern regions of the country, particularly those of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. There are also Klettner families in Canada, Australia and South Africa.
One branch of the Klettner family was prominent in 17th century Austria. They founded a monastic order in the small town of Kleinburgstall, which had previously been an old hunting estate. The abbey is known as Stift Kloster Klettenium and is still active today, serving the spiritual needs of the local community.
The Klettner name is known to be associated with strength, stability and resilience. This is likely due to their ancestral connection to a monastic order, and is also indicative of their Germanic heritage. It is a proud surname that is likely to remain popular for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKlettner: Where does the name Klettner come from?
The last name Klettner is principally located in Austria and Germany in regions such as the Austrian province of Tyrol and Bavaria. It is a rather uncommon last name, however, with many people not even realizing that it exists. Little is known about the origin of the name and its meaning, although it is believed to originate from a variant of the middle-high German word “kletn” which translates to “enclosed area”.
In modern times, those carrying the Klettner name are primarily found in central and southern German speaking countries. There are also people with variants of the Klettner name such as Klett, Klette, and Kletterer, also found in neighboring countries such as Hungary, Italy, and Croatia.
The Klettner name is still alive and kicking today. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century the family name spread across Europe due to emigration, which has allowed the name to survive to this day. In America, the Klettners are primarily found in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio where the family had originally settled.
Though the name is not a particularly common one, it is far more prevalent than prior generations due to the number of people who have left their homeland and reside abroad. As such, there are still people who identify with the name and proudly bear it in its various forms.
Variations of the surname Klettner
The surname Klettner has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Commonly used variants and spellings include Klattner, Klettener, Klettner, Kletner, and Kletzner.
Klattner is very similar to the original Klettner spelling and surname, and they are often used interchangeably. This spelling has been documented in German, Dutch, and Swedish archives.
Klettener is another variant of the surname that was found in Germany during the 18th century. This spelling may also sometimes appear as Klettnerner, particularly in older records.
Kletzner is a somewhat rare variant of this surname, but it has been seen in a few German documents. It is not known to have any connection to Klettner, however.
Kletner has been documented in German, Dutch, and Jewish archives. This variant is likely derived from KLettern, meaning to climb, and was most likely used to describe someone who was a skilled climber.
Klettner is the original spelling of the surname, and it is still found throughout Germany and other countries with German speaking populations. It is thought to derive from the German word Klatte, and was most likely a nickname for someone who was thin or lanky.
In addition to these common variants, the surname Klettner may also be seen spelled Klettern, Clattner, Klettner, Klaytner, and Klettman. These spellings are far less common, but they are still seen in some records.
Surnames of the same origin as Klettner include Kletten, Klett, Klotz, Klatt, and Knoll. These surnames have no geographic relation to Klettner, but rather they were likely derived from similar occupational paths.
Famous people with the name Klettner
- Duncan Klettner: Professional dancer, who has been featured in films and tv shows like Britain's Got Talent and Dance Heaven.
- Gabriella Klettner: owner of the blog "Peakoats", which focuses on sustainable fashion and sustainability practices.
- Emmett Klettner: Professional race car driver, who has made multiple appearances in the Macau Grand Prix and the German Formula 3 series.
- Louis Klettner: Professional golfer, who has had multiple top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.
- Wolfgang Klettner: Conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 2002.
- Joy Klettner: Former councilor of the town Ofeld, France.
- Walter Klettner: Head of Strategic Investments with the World Bank Group.
- Sebastian Klettner: Professional tennis player, who won the 2002 French Open singles title.
- Brian Klettner: Actor known for his roles in the films Army of Darkness and The Fast and the Furious.
- Fred Klettner: World War II veteran and businessman, who helped found the Kellogg Company.