Surname Kleine-Waechter - Meaning and Origin
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Kleine-Waechter: What does the surname Kleine-Waechter mean?
The last name Kleine-Waechter is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. It roughly translates to "little guard" in English. The name derives from the words "kleine", meaning small, and "waechter", meaning guard.
The name is believed to have been initially used as a surname to denote a person who was employed as a watchman or guard. The suffix "-er" was appended to the long form of the word as an indication of profession. An alternate interpretation of the name suggests that it may have been used to denote someone who was "little" in stature and physically weak, and might have been deployed as a guard due to their smaller size.
In medieval Europe, guards played an important role. They were responsible for providing security and protection for homes, castles, and communities. As such, it is possible that someone with the last name Kleine-Waechter worked as a watchman or security guard during a period in which these roles were in high demand.
Today, the name Kleine-Waechter is commonly found throughout Germany as well as many other countries, including Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It may also be found in areas of the United States where persons of German descent have settled.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Waechter: Where does the name Kleine-Waechter come from?
The last name Kleine-Waechter is today most commonly found in Germany. In the city of Berlin alone, according to the website Genes Reunited, there are some 65 living individuals with this surname. The most populous states in Germany with individuals who have this surname are Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria.
Outside of Germany, the name Kleine-Waechter is still scattered throughout the world in very small numbers. For example, there are an estimated two individuals living in France and one living in Italy. In the United States, per the website Ancestry.com, there are a few individuals in Los Angeles, California, as well as in Austin, Texas.
This name is related to the German phrase “klein waechten”, which literally means “small guard”. It’s believed that the name originated from someone who was a guard or watchman in a small village or area. As such, the name implies financial security, as it was likely given to individuals who were able to acquire a watchman job due to their economic and financial stability.
Overall, the surname Kleine-Waechter is today primarily found in Germany, but also living in small numbers in other countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Waechter
The surname Kleine-Waechter has many variants, spellings, and alternative surnames. Variations on the name include Kleine Wächter, KleineWaechter, Kleine Waehrter, Kleine Waegter, Kleinewächter, Kleyn Waechter, Kleine Wächter, Kleine-Waechter, and Kleinewechter.
All of these spellings of the name derive from the German phrase "kleiner wächter". The modern German spelling of this phrase is "Kleiner Wächter". This phrase literally translates into English as "little guard". The name was likely adopted by someone in a defensive military role at some point.
Alternative surnames include KleineWechter, Wechter, KleinerWächter, KleineWeechter, Wächter, Waechter, Waegter, and Waehrter. All of these have the same meaning as the original surname - "little guard".
Kleine-Waechter is also a common element in many compound surnames. For example, some variations include KleineWechter-Stammer, KleineWaechter-Meermann, Kleinewächter-Tietz, and Kleine-Wächter-von Horn.
Overall, the surname Kleine-Waechter has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is a derivation of the German phrase "kleiner wächter" which means "little guard" and is likely an adoption of a defensive military role from centuries past. The surname and its variants are also commonly found as elements in compound surnames.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Waechter
- Alina Kleine-Waechter: Alina Kleine-Waechter is a German Figure Skating Champion, holding a short track junior national title.
- Artur Kleine-Waechter: Artur Kleine-Waechter was a German officer who served in both World War I and World War II, becoming one of the highest-ranking officers in the German military.
- Konrad Kleine-Waechter: Konrad Kleine-Waechter was a German musicologist and author, who specialized in the history and theory of music, particularly in German-speaking countries.
- Armin Kleine-Waechter: Armin Kleine-Waechter is a German actor and model, known for his roles in films such as Rübezahl and Screen.
- Hermann Kleine-Waechter: Hermann Kleine-Waechter was a German artist and author, best known for his watercolours and drawings.
- Monika Kleine-Waechter: Monika Kleine-Waechter is a German opera singer, known for her performances with the Frankfurt Opera House.
- Werner Kleine-Waechter: Werner Kleine-Waechter was a German sculptor and cultural theorist, who wrote extensively about the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of art.
- Friedrich Kleine-Waechter: Friedrich Kleine-Waechter was a German painter and architect, noted for his works which depict rural life.
- Willi Kleine-Waechter: Willi Kleine-Waechter was a German musician and composer, best known for his incorporation of traditional folk songs into his compositions.
- Claus Kleine-Waechter: Claus Kleine-Waechter was a German lawyer and politician, serving as a member of the Social Democratic Party.