Surname Klingenspohr - Meaning and Origin

Klingenspohr: What does the surname Klingenspohr mean?

The last name Klingenspohr comes from a German origin and is made up of two words: Klinge, variously translated as “blade” or “sword” and Spohr, meaning “dweller at the sign of the pike.” Together, the name roughly translates to “One who lives near a sword.”

The Klingenspohr family first began to appear in documents in the late 12th century in Switzerland, where it has been strongly associated with the canton of Bern. With regard to Bearers of this last name, it has been shown that when they emigrated, they moved primarily to the United States. This happened around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the surnames Klingenberger, Klingensmith and Klingenmeyer were also found to have made their way into the United States.

Overall, the Klingenspohr name has a history of mainly being associated with Germany and, especially, Switzerland. It is a name linked to a place, and is tied directly to a physical location. This provides a strong link to a particular place and culture, and offers those who bear the name a connection to their heritage that stems beyond just its etymological roots.

Klingenspohr: Where does the name Klingenspohr come from?

The last name Klingenspohr is commonly found in the Germany today. According to Ancestry.com, Klingenspohr is a “clustered” name concentrated in the northwestern region of Germany. However, there is evidence that the name dates as far back as the 19th century, with mentions in Prussia and Bavaria during that time.

According to Surname Database, the name’s origin is a combination of two words from the German language. The first, ‘Klingen’ means ‘sound’ and is derived from the Old High German knighting and knighting-raine. This term translates roughly to ‘ smartest or most powerful man in the kingdom. The second element, ‘Spohr’ which means ‘wood’ is derived from the Middle High German word for ‘wood’, ‘spoechre.’ Together, the name Klingenspohr translates to ‘Highlander’ or ‘Noble in Wood.’

Though there is no definitive answer as to what exactly the name means, it is known that a family carrying the name lived in the regions where Klingenspohr was a common name. Numbers of Klingenspohr families are highest in the Northwest region of Germany as well as other parts of Europe. However, the name can be found in other countries too, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

The legacy of Klingenspohr remains strong today, with families living in Germany, Europe, the UK, and the US continuing to carry the name. As one of the oldest German names in existence, it stands testament to the success of the noble family who created it.

Variations of the surname Klingenspohr

Klingenspohr is a surname of German origin. Klingenspohr is a relatively uncommon and rare name. The variations of spelling for this surname include Klingenspor, Klingensperger, Kelingenspoor, Klingenpoer, and Klingenspoer.

However, there are also alternative spellings of Klingenspohr that are not necessarily of the same origin, such as Klingenberger, Klingersporer, Klingsporrer, Klingenberg, Klingenbohr, Klingler, Klinger, Klinspor, Klinepor, Klinesporn, Clingenpoor, Klinkenspoer, and Klingensoer.

Klingenspohr is an infrequently used surname and those who bear the Klingenspohr name have a unique history. The name Klingenspohr carries a deep and meaningful significance, especially to families of German descent. It is likely that individuals tracing their ancestry back to Germany are connected to the Klingenspohr surname and its many variants.

The Klingenspohr name is derived from a root toponymic name,meaning it is derived from a region, village or estate name. Therefore, it can provide an indication about where an individual's ancestors may have come from. Ultimately, the Klingenspohr surname is an invaluable link to the family’s past and is an important part of their heritage.

Famous people with the name Klingenspohr

• Carl Klingenspohr (19th century astronomer)
• William Klingenspohr (19th century Prussian civil service official)
• Edward Klingenspohr (19th century painter and etcher)
• Jimmy Klingenspohr (20th century drum corps composer)
• Helmut Klingenspohr (20th century German theologian and philosopher)
• Bernd Klingenspohr (20th century German classical composer)
• Wolfram Klingenspohr (20th century German actor)
• Johannes Klingenspohr (21st century German actor)
• Stephen Klingenspohr (21st century entrepreneur and executive coach)
• Ralph Klingenspohr (21st century German economist and academic)

Other surnames

Klingenspor