Surname Kloker - Meaning and Origin

Kloker: What does the surname Kloker mean?

The last name Kloker is an occupational German surname deriving from the Old German word “Klocker” which meant a lock-maker or one who works with locks. Over time, this surname has spread to other countries and has been adapted into various languages depending on the region. For example, in England the name is rendered as “Crawker” or “Crowker”.

The Kloker family name likely originated as a nickname for someone in a certain occupation, and the earliest known record of this surname dates back to 1390 in the city of Magdeburg in Germany. Over the centuries, the Kloker family has expanded and prospered throughout Europe, particularly Germany and Poland.

The legacy of the surname can be seen in many places today, including names of businesses and various organizations. For example, the Kloker Corporation was founded in 1875 in Denmark and is now a successful international company with headquarters in Canada.

The meaning of the last name Kloker is not only rooted in its original occupational heritage, but also in the fact that its bearers have made a positive impact on the world in various ways. From creating products that make people’s lives easier to providing jobs and businesses for those who need them, the name has certainly become a symbol of achievement and aspiration.

Kloker: Where does the name Kloker come from?

The surname Kloker is quite rare today and is not listed among the 1,000 most commonly occurring surnames in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau. However, the surname is common in certain parts of Europe. It is a Germanic name, likely originating from Silesia, a region straddling the modern borders of Poland and the Czech Republic. In the early 20th century, many family members bearing the name Kloker emigrated to the United States from Silesia. In the US, they settled in areas of Illinois and Michigan, and later in Pennsylvania and California.

The Kloker surname is also quite common in Germany. It is particularly popular in the north-eastern states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where it is the 214th most common surname. Similarly, in Switzerland the surname is particularly popular in Appenzell where it is the 262nd most common name. In the Netherlands, Kloker is the 829th most common name, though this can likely be attributed to German immigration to the Netherlands during the 19th century.

In Poland, the surname is far less common, though still present. It is found in the villages of Podstolec and Stradun, where it is believed to be of German origin. A small number of Klokers can also be found in Slovakia, likely the descendants of Czech-speaking Germans who moved from Silesia to Bohemia during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Overall, the surname Kloker is rare in the United States and can be found in small clusters in certain European countries, primarily Germany and Poland. It is believed to have originated in the region of Silesia and is now generally found in areas with a Germanic influence.

Variations of the surname Kloker

Kloker is an uncommon and typically German surname. It can be found throughout Germany and in some areas of the United States, but it is not common elsewhere. Variations on the name Kloker include Klöker, Klecker, Klöckner, Klecker, Klocker, Klokker, Klinker, and Kluckner. The variants all stem from the same root - the Middle High German word "kloker" (or "kloecher"), meaning "pin" or "peg". This most likely refers to a bell-ringer or librarian, as pins were sometimes used to mark book pages.

The name Kloker has many spelling variants in other languages, such as the Dutch Klecker, the Slovenian Kločer, and the Danish Kloekner. Several surnames share the same origin as Kloker, including Klocker, Klinker, Klockmann, and Klockmeier. It is also possible to find the anglicized form of the name, Clerk.

Kloker is an uncommon surname, but it is not rare. It has been passed down to many generations of German-descended families and, due to the multiple variations, is likely that many unknown bearers of this surname live in other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Kloker

• Jak Kloker: An American co-ed who represented the Philippines at the Miss Africa USA Pageant in 2020
• Don Kloker: Editor and editorial specialist for The Grand Rapids Press
• Paul Kloker: A former American college basketball player
• William Kloker: Founding leader of the Kloker family of Wisconsin
• Cade Kloker: An American professional snowboarder
• Colin Kloker: An Australian businessman and shipping executive
• Bruce Kloker: An American lawyer and politician
• Henning Kloker: A German actor and musician
• Kaitlyn Kloker: Executive team member of the S.L.C.T. performing arts company
• Val Kloker: An American entrepreneur and television personality

Other surnames

Kloke