Surname Kleine-Kleffmann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleine-Kleffmann: What does the surname Kleine-Kleffmann mean?
The last name Kleine-Kleffmann is German in origin and means “small-clever-man”. The “kleine” part of the name refers to the smaller size, often associated with someone who is not overly tall. The “kleffmann” part of the name suggests that the individual is clever or capable of resourceful thinking. It is likely that the name was originally given to someone likely to be successful in business or politics who displayed natural intelligence or craftiness.
Over time, the surname has been passed down and, in modern times, there are people who hold this name all around the world. While many individuals associated with the name of Kleine-Kleffmann may not have any connection to its original meaning, it is likely that the sharp minds and quick thinking ability of those who bear the name have survived to modern day, allowing them to continue to excel in any area of their career.
Kleine-Kleffmann is overall a fitting name, suggesting that those who bear it have natural abilities and a tall order of intelligence. With this surname, it is no surprise that so many people are able to thrive in life.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Kleffmann: Where does the name Kleine-Kleffmann come from?
The last name Kleine-Kleffmann is predominantly found in Germany. In the 2019 German census, it was the 4,803rd most common name in the country. It is especially common in the northeast in former East Prussia, where many Germans were displaced after World War II.
In addition, there are some people with the last name Kleine-Kleffmann living in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, all likely the descendants of German immigrants.
The origin of the name is twofold. Kleine means “little” in German, and Kleffmann is an alternate spelling of the German name Klaumann, which means “little man.” Together, the two words refer to a person of short stature.
The Kleine-Kleffmann name is believed to have first appeared in the late 1500s in the Prussian town of Labiau. Through the following centuries, it spread throughout Prussia, and then further throughout Germany as people moved in search of economic opportunities.
In Germany today, the Kleine-Kleffmanns remain one of the country’s most prominent families. They are known for their philanthropy and have founded several organizations and charities. The family has also produced some notable artists, actors, and musicians.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Kleffmann
Kleine-Kleffmann is a German surname, believed to derive from two distinct roots: Kleffmann (or Claffman), and Kleine (or Klein). It is a combination of two separate names, linked by the hyphen. The variations of each component of the name are as follows:
Kleffmann: Claffman, Klaafman, Cleffman, Kleffman, Klaffman
Kleine: Klein, Kleene, Kleener, Kleinegge, Kleinegg
The Kleine-Kleffmann name itself can also have different forms, including Claffman Klein, Klein Claffman, Kleffman Klein and Klein Kleffman. It is thought to have originated from the east of Germany, although with its variations, it can now be found in many other countries and cultures.
Surnames originating from Kleine-Kleffmann often take on the form of either Kleine or Kleffmann. Common German spellings of these names include Kleine and Kleffmann, which can also be found in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Meanwhile, variations of Kleine-Kleffmann can be seen in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The most common surnames that can be traced to Kleine-Kleffmann origins are Klein, Klaffman, Kleene and Kleinegge. Meanwhile, other names deriving from the same root include Kleffiklefferman, Kleffmanklein, Klaffeine, Klefmannkonig and Klaffmannel.
Overall, there are numerous spellings and variations of the Kleine-Kleffmann name, depending on the country and culture of origin. This surname can now be found throughout the world, with its influences stemming back to the roots of German and Dutch society.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Kleffmann
- Josef Kleine-Kleffmann: Josef Kleine-Kleffmann was a German jurist and lawyer who mentored generations of scholars and lawyers during the Weimar Republic. He also served in the Reichstag and was a staunch proponent of democracy.
- Wilhelm Kleine-Kleffmann: Wilhelm Kleine-Kleffmann was a German naturalist and natural philosopher who wrote extensively on the subjects of zoology and botany during the 19th century.
- Ernst Kleine-Kleffmann: Ernst Kleine-Kleffmann was a German philosopher who wrote extensively on the subjects of religion and morality. His works often revolved around interpreting the Bible and the questions that arise out of it.
- Simon Kleine-Kleffmann: Simon Kleine-Kleffmann was a German-American poet and writer. He was one of the founders of a surrealist poetry movement in Berlin. His works often featured dream-like landscapes and strange symbolism.
- Ludwig Kleine-Kleffmann: Ludwig Kleine-Kleffmann was a German painter and art critic. He wrote extensively on the topics of modernism and Expressionism and was one of the most influential figures in German art circles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Josephine Kleine-Kleffmann: Josephine Kleine-Kleffmann was a German actress and theater director. She is best known for her performances in plays by German Expressionist authors such as Wedekind and Döblin.
- Magdalene Kleine-Kleffmann: Magdalene Kleine-Kleffmann was an early German photographer and explorer. She was one of the first women to travel through Africa with her camera, and her photographs of the area are still widely admired today.