Surname Kleinbauer - Meaning and Origin
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Kleinbauer: What does the surname Kleinbauer mean?
The surname Kleinbauer is a German occupational surname which originally referred to a small-scale builder, such as a plasterer or a stonemason. The word is composed of two German words: “Klein” and “Bauer”, which translates to “small” and “builder/farmer”. The surname is particularly common in the German states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North-Rhine Westphalia.
The original spelling of Kleinbauer varied in its many regional forms in the 1800s. Some of the more popular spellings of this surname include Kleimbauer, Kleimbaner, Kleembaner, Kleymbgraphauer, Kleinhauer, Kleinhore, and Kleinebauer.
In 1875, census records indicated that there were about 33,111 individuals living in Germany with the surname Kleinbauer. This number is considerably lower today, although those with the surname Kleinbauer still exist in central Europe.
In the United States, immigrants of German descent with Kleinbauer as their surname began to settle in the 19th century. Many Kleinbauer immigrants travelled to the US to pursue employment opportunities, forge new relationships, and practice their religion freely. For a time, their surname was Anglicized to Klebaner or Klabaner.
Today, individuals with the surname Kleinbauer are people of note in the realms of academics, politics, and the arts. Though this is a relatively uncommon surname, it is still associated with hard-working, skilled builders and farmers from Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKleinbauer: Where does the name Kleinbauer come from?
The last name Kleinbauer is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. These countries are located along the German-speaking northern and eastern border of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. This area is known as Central Europe and is home to many ethnic German communities. The Kleinbauer name is also widespread in other countries around the world, including the United States, where German immigrants have settled for centuries. Today, people with the last name Kleinbauer can be found in every state in the United States. The surname also appears in many other countries, including Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
The name is derived from the Germanic word for ‘bauer’ or farmer, and is often formally translated to ‘farmer’ or ‘smallholder’ in English. The name was used by families whose fathers were farmers or smallholders, thus people with the last name Kleinbauer are descendants of farmers. This agricultural origin is common in many German surnames.
In addition to its modern applications, the name Kleinbauer may have medieval and ancient roots, with some records tracing the name back as early as the 11th century. Today, the Kleinbauer name is most associated with Central European countries, although its usage is widespread around the world.
Variations of the surname Kleinbauer
The surnames Kleinbauer, Kleinböer, Klembauer, Klemböer, Kleebauer, Kleeböer, Kleiner, Kleindienst, Kleinhäupl, Kleinhofer, Kleinl, Kleinknecht and Kleiner all have the same origin and are all related to the Kleinbauer surname.
Kleinbauer, or "small farmer" in English, originates from a £German professional name for a small peasant farmer or tenant farmer. It is composed of two elements, the German word "Klein," meaning small, and "Bauer," meaning a farmer, peasant, tenant, court tenant, or freeholder.
Variants of the Kleinbauer surname include: Kleinböer, Klembauer, Klemböer, Kleebauer, Kleeböer, Kleiner, Kleindienst, Kleinhäupl, Kleinhofer, Kleinl, Kleinknecht and Kleiner. These variants differ in both spelling and are based on the differing regional dialects that existed in different parts of the Germanic region of Europe.
Kleindienst, which means "small servant," is believed to have originally been used as a nickname for a small-boned person who was particularly diligent or worked as an indentured servant. Kleinhäupl, which comes from the words "kleinen" and "Haupt," means "small head," and likely referred to a particularly short, meek person. Kleinhofer and Kleinl are both likely derived from the word "kleinen," and described someone with an especially small stature. Kleinknecht, on the other hand, meant "small knight," and referred to a person of lower social status than a knight.
Finally, variants of the Kleinbauer surname, such as Kleiner and Kleebauer, are thought to have derived from the "Kleinen" and "Bauer" elements of the word. They likely refer to a "small farmer" or a person of a lower social class than a farmer.
In conclusion, the surname Kleinbauer has several variants and surname spellings, all of which originate from the same source and all refer to a "small farmer" or lower social class in the Germanic region of Europe.
Famous people with the name Kleinbauer
1.Franz Kleinbauer: Austrian artist who drew landscapes and cityscapes. 2.Klaus Kleinbauer: former East German biathlete. 3.Adolf Kleinbauer: 19th-century German philologist and historian. 4.Albine Kleinbauer: Austrian Olympic ski jumper. 5.Fridolin Kleinbauer: German Catholic clergyman and Bishop of Passau from 1932 to 1947. 6.Uwe Kleinbauer: Austrian modern pentathlete who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. 7.Wilhelm Kleinbauer: German-Canadian landscape and portrait painter. 8.Otto Kleinbauer: German amateur footballer who played as a goalkeeper. 9.Valentina Kleinbauer: German photographer whose works exhibited in Vienna, Cologne, and Zurich. 10.Kylie Kleinbauer: Canadian theatrical producer and author whose works focus on issues of diversity and identity.