Surname Klefeld - Meaning and Origin

Klefeld: What does the surname Klefeld mean?

The surname Klefeld is of German origin and translates to "clearing in a cliff". This indicates that the family descended from someone who either settled in or was born in a settlement located in or near a cliff. This could be located in a valley, ravine, or gorge, or near a mountain or hill, and was likely a simple pastoral settlement, established as a home for the family or as a market square. The name may have been derived from the German word “kletten”, meaning cliffs, and “feld”, meaning field.

The surname was first found in western Germany, and especially in the region of Baden-Wurttemberg. Records of the name can be found as early as 1250 and 1530 in records from that region. It is one of the oldest known surnames, and is believed to have been created by the first recorded members of the family. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed, as it was believed to have one of the earliest modernizations of spelling.

Today, tens of thousands of people from Germany and across the world bear this surname, and many of them are still based in the same regions as the original Klefeld families, some of whom have been present for nearly 800 years. Although each family is unique, many of them share the common link of their surname, one that serves as a reminder of their German heritage and the fact that they once shared a common ancestor hundreds of years ago.

Klefeld: Where does the name Klefeld come from?

The last name Klefeld is most commonly found among people living or originating from modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name appears in records and is used by people in those countries today.

Over two thousand people living in Germany had the last name "Klefeld" in 2019. Its meaning is derived from the German words kleiner and feld, meaning small field. In other words, the name Klefeld translates to "small field," and this could refer to a small farm or other plot of land.

Klefeld is also seen in Austria and Switzerland, where it is somewhat less common. In Austria, it is estimated that about one thousand people have the last name, and in Switzerland in 2019, only about 300 people used it.

Klefeld has even made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, and is currently used by some individuals in the United States and Canada. Data from the United States Social Security Administration shows that about four-hundred people in the US proudly bear the name Klefeld.

The name Klefeld has been around for centuries and has a rich history in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Over the years, it has spread a bit to other countries, both in Europe and across the world. Today, people of various backgrounds living in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the US, and Canada proudly carry the Klefeld name.

Variations of the surname Klefeld

The surname Klefeld has several different spelling variants, surnames of the same origin, and other names that it may be confused with. Depending on the region, the prefix or ending may change, resulting in Klefeld, Kleffel, Kleffeles, Kleffels, Kleffles, and Klefels. In some areas, the “Kle-“ prefix may be dropped altogether and the name simply spelled “Feld” or “Fael.”

Klefeld is also closely related to other surnames of the same Germanic origin such as Klefelder, Klefflinger, Kleiner, Kleppelman, Klessing, Klett, Kloepfer, Klever, and Klieber. All of these surnames originated from the Old Germanic word “Kleff,” which referred to a type of clear, bright light.

Some people may have family names derived from Klefeld that differ somewhat in spelling, such as Kelfield, Kliefield, Knightfield, Knightfeild, Knightsfield, Kleggfeld, Kliffield, Cliffeld, Cleavland, Kleefeld, Kiefield, Kiffield, Kliefeld, Kleef, Claefeld, Kleve, Klev, Klepple, Kleppel, Kleffman, Kleimann and Kleiman.

Another common variant of the name appears in Russian-Jewish recordings, where it is spelled Kleffel, Kleffler, Kleflich or Klefah. It is important to note that the spelling, and sometimes even the origin, of surnames can vary depending on the era and region in which the name appeared.

Famous people with the name Klefeld

• Nicole Kleefisch: former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin both in the Walker and Evers administrations.
• Randy Kleffman: American football player.
• Dan Kleffman: former U.S. ambassador to East Timor.
• Chris Kleffman: former member of the U.S. National Men’s Ski team.
• Raimund Klefeld: German politician belonging to the Social Democratic Party.
• David Kleffman: Canadian musician, song-writer, and producer.
• Karl Klefeld: former Swiss footballer.
• Don Kleefisch: American baseball player.
• Jacques Klefeld: artist and international designer.
• Annie Kleefields: British model.

Other surnames

Klefeldt