Surname Kleine-Niermann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleine-Niermann: What does the surname Kleine-Niermann mean?
The last name Kleine-Niermann is a Germanic surname originating from the region of North East Germany. It is derived from the combination of two words, Kleine (small) and Niermann (Norman). The two words can be translated to mean "Norman of small stature".
Historically, Kleine-Niermann was used as a patronymic name given to the descendants of Norman settlers during the late Middle Ages. These Normans were likely amongst the first to settle in the region, migrating from their homeland of Normandy, France.
Kleine-Niermann may also have originated as a sign of respect given to the Norman settlers. It was common in the Middle Ages for the locals to give the Normans surnames which expressed admiration for their strength and courage. As such, the name Kleine-Niermann could have been given as a sign of respect and admiration to those Norman settlers.
Today, people with the last name Kleine-Niermann can be found in Germany and other areas of Europe. As Germanic surnames have been around for centuries the Kleine-Niermann surname has gradually spread across Europe and to other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Niermann: Where does the name Kleine-Niermann come from?
The last name Kleine-Niermann is most commonly found in Germany, as well as countries with strong German populations, such as Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and parts of the United States. This name originates from a specific region in Northern Germany known as Westfalen, where it remains one of the most common last names.
The Kleine-Niermann family can trace its roots to medieval times in Westfalen where the family was one of several independent noble families. Over the centuries, the family gained notoriety as members of the aristocracy, especially in the Hanover area. Even today, the Kleine-Niermanns still hold an important presence in the area, with numerous members of the family owning and running businesses throughout the region.
The name itself is made up of two German words: Kleine, meaning little, and Niermann, meaning ferryman. This suggests that the family was likely closely associated with rivers and ferries in medieval Westfalen, and most likely earned their noble status by providing this service to the locals.
Although the Kleine-Niermann family has been around for centuries, it is still relatively limited in distribution, with the majority of the Kleine-Niermann's living in Germany and related countries or regions.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Niermann
The variant of the surname Kleine-Niermann is spelled the same in Germany and other German speaking countries. In other parts of the world including the United States, the spelling of the surname could appear with hyphens, multiple spaces, umlauts, or with capitalizations of the first letter. Common variants of the surname include Kleine, Kleine Niermann, KleineNiermann, KLEINENIERNANN, KLEINE NIERMANN.
The origin of the surname Kleine-Niermann stems from its North German root. The North German dialect is known for its multitude of surnames which can all be traced back to different origins. The Kleine-Niermann family comes from the old German root of the name Niemann meaning “smith.” The “Kleine” portion of the name is derived from Old High German words which translates to “little” or “small.” These two components combined form the surname Kleine-Niermann in its original form.
The surname Kleine-Niermann also has several related surnames stemming from its original form. The spellings Kleine, Klein, or Nienmann are all related surnames to Kleine-Niermann and originate from the same root. Kleinschnitz and Kleinschmidt are also related names to Kleine-Niermann which originate from the old German root of smithy. The name Kleynen is also related to this same root of smithy and is an adaptation of Kleine-Niermann. Additionally, Klausman, Klausmann, and Clausman are all related surnames to Kleine-Niermann stemming from the old German root of Niemann.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Niermann
- Andre Kleine-Niermann, German zoologist.
- Andreas Kleine-Niermann, German cyclist.
- Daniela Kleine-Niermann, German presenter and campaigner for disabled people's rights.
- David Kleine-Niermann, German actor.
- Heinz Kleine-Niermann, German photographer and artist.
- Hubertus Kleine-Niermann, German footballer.
- Jürgen Kleine-Niermann, German footballer.
- Richard Kleine-Niermann, German actor.
- Sabine Kleine-Niermann, German biologist.
- Sven Kleine-Niermann, German basketball player.