Surname Kleine-Wortmann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleine-Wortmann: What does the surname Kleine-Wortmann mean?
The last name Kleine-Wortmann is a German surname and is believed to derive from the Middle Low German term "kleine wurm" which translates to small worm. It could have been an occupational surname for a farmer or gardener who raised worms, or for one who kept earth worms sold as fish bait. Alternatively, Kleine-Wortmann could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a swamp, where worms were abundant.
The Kleine-Wortmann name is rarely found outside of Germany, as it originated there. German surnames often carried the prefix "Kleine," which means small. It was used to distinguish a junior or younger branch of a family tree. The suffix "-Wortmann" was typically the last part of the surname and meant "Man of Words".
The Kleine-Wortmann surname likely represents the small, humble origins of the family's ancestors. Kleine-Wortmann families were likely to have had little wealth, perhaps with men working as peasants or tenant farmers. In many cases, each generation was given the freedoms to work and to manage their own affairs. Despite humble beginnings, the Kleine-Wortmann families could have eventually built wealth through hard work and perseverance, achieving their aspirations and successes.
In modern times, Kleine-Wortmann descendants are still found throughout Germany and in other parts of the world. Today, the name Kleine-Wortmann is a reminder of the strong legacy and traditions of the families of yore.
Order DNA origin analysisKleine-Wortmann: Where does the name Kleine-Wortmann come from?
The last name Kleine-Wortmann is most commonly found in Germany and Luxembourg. It is a combined surname, with the first component of the name coming from the Low German word "kleen" which means small. The second component of the last name is derived from the German surname Wortmann, which means "word man".
Kleine-Wortmann is an example of how surnames have evolved in Germany. Many German names are combined names which are formed by joining two separate surnames, usually connected to the surrounding area of the person's ancestor's place of origin. These surnames can also be extended when new generations of the family are born.
In Germany, Kleine-Wortmann is widely spread throughout the country. However, the Kleine-Wortmann surname is most commonly found in the northern parts of Germany, particularly in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt. The surname is also found in the region of Luxembourg, where it is one of the most common surnames found there.
In local records, instances of the Kleine-Wortmann last name go back hundreds of years. Variations of the name can be found even further back in history, indicating a strong family presence and lineage in the area. As such, it can be said that the area around Northern Germany, and Luxembourg, must have had family branches of Kleine-Wortmann in existence from early on.
Variations of the surname Kleine-Wortmann
The Kleine-Wortmann surname is believed to be German in origin, and is found primarily in that country, the Netherlands, and countries such as Switzerland with large German-speaking populations. The General German form of the name is Kleine-Wortmann, but this may be spelt Klein-Wortmann, Kleine Wortmann, Kleyne-Wortman, Kleinewortmann, Klein Wurtmann, Kleine Wortman, Klein Wortman and Kleine Wortman amongst other variants.
When translated to English, the name literally means ‘Little Word Man’, with ‘Kleine’ meaning ‘small’ or ‘little’, and ‘Wortmann’ relating to ‘word’. Similarly, the German version contains the same meaning.
The surname is usually quite rare, and is not one of the 10,000 most common German surnames. Despite this, there are still those who carry the surname, and it is likely that some have followed their ancestors to the New World, or other countries.
It is also possible that this is the origin of some surnames with different spellings. For example, the American version ‘Smallwood’ may be derived from Kleine-Wortmann, with ‘Small’ as an alternate English form of ‘Kleine’, and ‘Wood’ possibly derived from ‘Wortmann’. Similarly, the Dutch versions of ‘Kleinhout’ and ‘Klein Woud’ which both mean ‘Little Woods’ could also stem from the same origin.
In conclusion, whilst Klein-Wortmann is the primary spelling and variant of this German surname, it can be found spelt a number of different ways. It is also possible that many variants and words relating to the meaning of Kleine-Wortmann have been used and passed on through the centuries in different countries giving rise to a variety of spellings and surnames.
Famous people with the name Kleine-Wortmann
- Lars Kleine-Wortmann: German filmmaker and producer best known for his 2007 movie, The Edge of Heaven.
- Wolfgang Kleine-Wortmann: German cinematographer who has worked on films like Love Me and Alles auf Zucker!.
- Heiner Kleine-Wortmann: German actor who has appeared in films such as Lila, Lila and The Edge of Heaven.
- Antje Kleine-Wortmann: Acting coach and actress known for her roles in films such as The Captain, Verrückt nach Clara and Freischwimmer.
- Annette Kleine-Wortmann: German actress and screenwriter best known for her work on the films Schmetterlinge im Bauch and Es war einmal ein Jäger.
- Heinz Kleine-Wortmann: German professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
- Cornelia Kleine-Wortmann: German actress who has appeared in films such as Jester Till and Mystik und Poesie.
- Birgit Kleine-Wortmann: German actress best known for her roles in films like Amazonas, Einer wird gewinnen, and Mutti und ich.
- Rudolf Kleine-Wortmann: German actor and director who has appeared in films including Sonnendiebe and Heimatland.