Surname Kleinmeier - Meaning and Origin

Kleinmeier: What does the surname Kleinmeier mean?

The last name Kleinmeier is a German surname, derived from the patronymic system of family names. The name derives from the German language, constructed from two words: “Klein” meaning small, and “Meier” meaning mayor or magistrate.

Throughout German history, a Meier was a powerful individual who held an official title in a particular district. Therefore, the last name Kleinmeier is reflective of an individual who held the position of a smaller or lesser magistrate or mayor. This could be indicative of the power within a family name but in a much more subdued form.

Typically we find surnames and family names that reflect occupational occupation, kin terms, or area of origin. However, the Kleinmeier surname takes a slightly different approach in that it speaks to the social standing of an individual within a community.

Kleinmeier is a name officials could have adopted in order to elevate their social standing. A family with the name could be indicating that an ancestor once held a position of power, albeit a lesser one than what many tyrants and dictators held throughout history.

In addition to the surname being reflective of one’s lineage, it is also indicative of the small towns and villages that pour resources into the same office. By taking the name Kleinmeier, individuals were attaching themselves to a higher social standing as well as being associated with a residence of which their ancestors had likely called home for many generations.

Kleinmeier: Where does the name Kleinmeier come from?

The last name Kleinmeier is common in Germany, Switzerland, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is a German name and is thought to be derived from the German words klein (small) and Meier (farmer). It likely originated as a nickname given to a small farmer.

Today, Kleinmeier is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, with significant populations found in Berlin and the Ruhr area. It is also found in Austria, mostly in Vorarlberg and Tyrol, but also in other parts of the country. In Switzerland, Kleinmeier is most common in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Zürich.

The name has spread further afield, and is now found in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand. This suggests that the name has been in circulation for some time, and has been taken far and wide by emigrants who left Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in search of new opportunities.

Generally, people with the last name Kleinmeier would be descended from a common ancestor who likely lived in Germany or the Austro-Hungarian Empire some time in the past.

Variations of the surname Kleinmeier

Kleinmeier is a German surname. It can be spelled in various ways including Kleinemeier, Kleinmeyer, Kleinemeyer, Kleinemeyer, Kleine Meyer, Kleinmeyer, Kleinmyer, Kleine Mayr, Kleinemayr, Kleinemayr, Klein Mayr and Klainemeyer. Some variants of the name are spelled with a double 'e' while other spellings may omit the 'e'. For instance, Klemiener is an alternate spelling of Kleinmeier.

Surnames of the same origin as Kleinmeier include Klebe, Kleinschmidt, Klinemeyer, Klien and Kleine. All of these share the same root of combining the German words ‘klein’ meaning ‘small’ and ‘meier’ or ‘meyer’ meaning 'a farmer who owns a small estate or land', making Kleinmeier a descriptive name that literally translates to 'small farmer.'

In some cases, the surname has been gradually altered over time. In various regional dialects, the name might be spelled Kleemeier, Klinemeyer and Kleine. Some spellings may also contain the middle name 'von', which is a particle used to indicate nobility or ancestral origin.

Kleinmeier is also used as a German given name and is sometimes seen combined with other given names, such as Johan Kleinmeier. This is common practice in German culture to combine family-names with given-names, especially in official documents and records.

The Kleinmeier surname is particularly common in Germany, but is also seen in other parts of Europe, particularly Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Kleinmeier

• Dr. Robert Kleinmeier, an German American who is a professor in Economics at the University of North Carolina: Greensboro.
• Carla Kleinmeier, a US-based research and education specialist and former Head of the Department of Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin.
• Marcus Kleinmeier, an award-winning nature and landscape photographer based in Arizona.
• Andreas Kleinmeier, the editor-in-chief of Munich-based newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.
• Matthis Kleinmeier, a German football player for FC Schalke 04.
• Wilhelm Kleinmeier, a German entrepreneur and co-founder of the software and services company BASF SE.
• Friedrich Kleinmeier, who wrote the popular historical novel, "Die Geretteten".
• Alexander Kleinmeier, a South African writer and translator of Dutch and German literature.
• Dominka Kleinmeier, a Dutch-Polish artist known for her colorful acrylic paintings and photography.
• Werner Kleinmeier, a Swiss-American lawyer and the president of the American Swiss Foundation.

Other surnames

Kleinmeyer