Surname Kleissler - Meaning and Origin

Kleissler: What does the surname Kleissler mean?

The surname Kleissler is of German origin. It is derived from Kleis, which means literally “key”, and has several connotations; the most common is that of a locksmith or metalworker who made and repaired locks, tools, and other objects made of metal. It is believed that the family is of a much older origin, but the name itself only appears in records from the 16th century onwards.

The earliest example of the name is found in the records of the city of Vlotho, in modern Germany. Here, a Christian Kleisler is documented in 1553, and by 1564 he was named mayor of the town. From this record, it can be inferred that Kleissler was an established family in the area. Through the course of history, the name has been associated with several professions, such as whopping, carpentry, or even glass-making.

The global distribution of the name can be attributed to emigration from Germany; mainly to other parts of Europe, North and South America, and Australia. In general, the name Kleissler is most commonly encountered in Germany and Switzerland, although it is present in other countries.

It is likely that the name Kleissler would have been understood to mean locksmith, although, due to its many meanings, further research into the origins of the name is needed in order to determine what specific meaning or profession it may have retained over the centuries.

Kleissler: Where does the name Kleissler come from?

The surname Kleissler is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. It is a very old German name, first appearing in records dating back to the 1500s. It is mainly concentrated in the German states of Bavaria and Hessen, as well as in surrounding countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.

The meaning of the name Kleissler is believed to be derived from the German word "Kleiner," meaning "small," or "petite." This may indicate that the family was of small stature or that they were of humble beginnings. This name was popular with families who were engaged in the craft, textile, and construction trades.

Given its roots in the German language, it is likely the name has spread with German emigrants in the centuries that followed. Today, people with the surname Kleissler can be found living in European countries, North America, Australia, and even in South Africa. In the United States, the surname is most commonly located in the state of Texas, where about 500 people currently use the surname.

Variations of the surname Kleissler

The surname Kleissler originates from the Germanic language and means 'the one from the clay-ground'. Variants of this surname include Clair, Kilsser, Klayssler, Kleyseler, Kliesener, Kleyeleyer, Klysler, Kließner, Klyßler, Klyester, and Klössler.

Alternative spellings of this surname may commonly be seen as Kliebler, Kleisser, Kleißler, Kleizer, Kreisler, and Kleiser.

The surname Kleissler is found in many European countries such as Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, and states of the former Yugoslavia. Places with the highest concentrations of this surname include Austria, Germany, and the former Yugoslavia.

The variants of this surname have also spread to other European countries, most notably to England, where the variant Kliesener is quite common. It is also present in North America, where it is found under the variant Kleiser.

The spelling of this surname is quite mixed, so many different spellings may exist in the same family. In some cases, multiple spellings can be found in the same document. It is common for the spelling to change over time, leading to multiple spellings existing in one family.

Famous people with the name Kleissler

• Leslie Kleissler : husband of British-born Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Slean and member of the folk rock band The Transit Sons.
• Max Kleissler: Sky Sports presenter and commentator.
• Nick Kleissler: actor in the tv series such as Westworld, Deadshot and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
• Gerd Kleissler: German Olympic figure skate who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
• Jim Kleissler: American basketball player who played professionally in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Bobcats.
• Bill Kleissler: American baseball player who made his Major League Baseball debut in 1965 with the Minnesota Twins.
• Art Kleissler: American football defensive lineman who played in the National Football League from 1981–1989.
• Paul Kleissler: American mathematician who wrote numerous articles and papers on linear algebra, statistics and other mathematical fields.
• Ernest Kleissler: German World War I soldier whose bravery lead to him being awarded multiple Iron Crosses and the honor of Knight's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern.
• Bruce Kleissler: Canadian soccer player who represented Canada in two Summer Olympics and later went on to coach multiple seasons in the Canadian Soccer League.

Other surnames

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