Surname Kleev - Meaning and Origin
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Kleev: What does the surname Kleev mean?
The surname Kleev is most commonly associated with Eastern European Jewish ancestry, and there are several different theories as to its origins. The most widely agreed upon is that the surname originated from the name of a town in what is now Belarus. The town is known as Kleev, and some suggest that it served as inspiration for the surname. In Yiddish, the word “kleev” translates to “barn,” as the town name is derived from a Slavic word meaning “grain storage.”
Kleev is far from the only Jewish surname related to a town name, which underscores the long tradition in which Jewish families have taken surnames based on their geography and history. This is especially true for Eastern European Jews, many of whose families trace their roots back for centuries in the same small locales. Surnames such as Kleev represent a tangible connection to the past, providing insight into how those families were linked to specific places in the region.
Kleev is also a derivative of the name Kleevan, which is common in the Belorussian language. The name itself is derived from a root word meaning “of the cliff” and may refer to the proximity of the Kleev town to a particular cliff or mountain range. It is interesting to note that Kleevan may also be related to the Polish word “klęk” which literally translates to “kneel”– perhaps indicating the early Kleev family members’ appearance in the now-Belarussian town.
In spite of its Eastern European origins, the surname Kleev is also found in families of Ashkenazi descent in the United States and other countries where Jewish emigration has occurred. In short, the Kleev surname is a unique part of the Jewish diaspora and continues to be defined by its connection to Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKleev: Where does the name Kleev come from?
The last name Kleev is most commonly found today in Israel. Jews from Germany, Romania, and Russia often adopted the last name Kleev when they moved to Israel. This may have been due to the 1940s Holocaust, when many Jews from these countries were forced out of their homelands and immigrated to Israel.
In addition, people with the last name Kleev can be found in Hungary, Belarus, the US, and Russia. It is possible that the Kleev family originated in one of these countries, since the name does not have a particularly high frequency in any of them.
Kleev is a relatively rare surname. In the US, less than one thousand people have the last name. However, its frequency is higher in Israel--roughly three hundred families bear the last name, primarily in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas.
Kleev is an Ashkenazi Jewish name, meaning that it comes from families of Central and Eastern European descent. Its origin is uncertain, though some suggest it may be derived from the Hebrew "kleb," meaning "dog." Another possibility is that it derives from the Latin word "clavus," meaning “nail.”
Though the last name Kleev is not particularly common today, it does still exist across the world--from Israel and Russia to the US. Its interesting origin and rarity provide a point of intrigue, and will likely draw the interest of those who come across it.
Variations of the surname Kleev
Kleev is a surname of Germanic or Eastern European origins. It is a variation of the name “Klee”, coming from the German word for “clover”, a symbol of luck, faith and love. Here are some variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin for the surname Kleev:
1. Kleever – derived from the German surname “Kleever”, with the same origin as “Kleev”.
2. Klee – derived from the German word “Klee”, meaning “clover”.
3. Kleef – derived from the Dutch surname “Kleef” which has a similar origin as “Kleev”.
4. Kleen – derived from the German surname “Kleen”, which is a variation of “Kleev”.
5. Klieber – derived from the German surname “Klieber”, which is a variation of “Kleev”.
6. Kleim – derived from the German surname “Kleim”, which is another variation of “Kleev”.
7. Kleig – derived from the German surname “Kleig”, also a variation of “Kleev”.
8. Kleman – derived from the German surname “Kleman”, also a variation of “Kleev”.
9. Klev – derived from the German surname “Klev”, which is another variation of “Kleev”.
10. Kliev – derived from the Czech/Slovak surname “Kliev”, which is a synonym of “Kleev”.
11. Klewe – derived from the German surname “Klewe”, also a variation of “Kleev”.
12. Klieve – derived from the Czech/Slovak surname “Klieve”, another synonym of “Kleev”.
Overall, the surname “Kleev” is a derivative of the German word for “clover” and is associated with luck, faith and love. Its variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin include Kleever, Klee, Kleef, Kleen, Klieber, Kleim, Kleig, Kleman, Klev, Kliev, Klewe and Klieve.
Famous people with the name Kleev
- Richard Kleev: Israeli ceramic artist
- Jonathan Kleev: English professional rugby league footballer
- Tod Kleev: Canadian professional baseball player
- Alexander Kleev: Russian Olympic rower
- Lindsay Kleev: Dutch professional cyclist and triathlete
- William Kleev: American professional soccer player
- Joshua Kleev: Australian professional tennis player
- Paul Kleev: Colombian scientist and professor
- Oleg Kleev: Ukrainian-American engineer, physicist, and inventor