Surname Klemens - Meaning and Origin
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Klemens: What does the surname Klemens mean?
The last name Klemens is of German origin. It is derived from a given name meaning “merciful” and is frequently found in south-eastern German-speaking regions. In the Middle Ages, the name may have also been used to represent a Latinized version of Clemens, a given name which appears in the New Testament.
Klemens may also have originated as a form of Clement or Clemens, which was one of the most popular names in Europe during the Middle Ages. Clement comes from the Latin clemens, meaning ‘merciful,’ and is derived from the Greek name Klemens. In addition, it was believed to be the name derived by Clement himself in early Christian times.
The name Klemens in Germany is often used as both a first and last name, and can refer to both males and females. Variations of the name include Klement, Klemetz, and Kliment. It may also appear as Clements, due to its being an anglicized form of Klemens.
The name Klemens is found in many different cultures, as it has spread throughout the globe. In Germany, it is most commonly associated with people bearing a Christian faith, as it reflects Benedictine veneration of Saint Clement, the third Pope of Rome. Despite its common connotation, the last name Klemens has no bearing on religious denomination or status.
Order DNA origin analysisKlemens: Where does the name Klemens come from?
The last name Klemens is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German-language name derived from the medieval personal name Klemens, a form of Clement, which is derived from the word “clēmēns,” meaning “mild, merciful, gentle,” or “favoured by fortune.” Klemens is also the Latin form of the name, from which the Dutch form is Klement.
The same name appears occasionally as a surname in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and other German-speaking countries. In addition, the name is found in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, where it is a predominantly Catholic form of the name due to the influence of the Catholic Church.
In the United States, the surname is found in areas settled by German-Americans, especially in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of New England. According to the 1990 United States Census, there were 4,862 people with the surname Klemens living in the United States, which is a decrease of 3.2% since the 1980 census.
The surname is also found in small numbers in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. In the 2016 census, there were 116 Klemens’ in Australia, 45 in New Zealand, 57 in South Africa and 407 in Canada.
Klemens is primarily a surname, but remains rare in most countries today.
Variations of the surname Klemens
Klemens is a surname that is known to come from the German and Czech roots. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can vary depending on the language and region. Some of the most common variants and spellings of Klemens are:
Kleemann/Klemann/Kleeman
Kleyman/Kleiman
Kliment/Kliman
Klement/Klemant
Klimen
The variant of Kleeman or Klemann is the most common spelling and is closely associated with Germany. It is derived from the Old German words “kleem”, which means “knot, entanglement”, and “mann”, which means “man” and refers to a characteristic of a warm-hearted person.
The variant of Kliment/Kliman is the most common variant found in regions around the Czech Republic and Poland. It is derived from the Old Slavic name Klimo and is a form of Clement. This variant suggests the meaning of “done kind or merciful” and is closely associated with religion.
Surnames of the same origin and related to Klemens might include Clements, Clemens, Klement/Klemant, Kleeman/Klemann, Kleiman/Kleyman, Klemenski, and Kliment/Kliman. These surnames, like Klemens, have their own unique origin stories and can be found all over Europe.
Famous people with the name Klemens
- Walther Ernst Klemens: German taxographer, cartographic historian, and librarian.
- Franciszek Klemens Branicki: Polish nobleman and Field Hetman of the Crown Army.
- David Klemens: American football coach.
- František Klemens Karel Šebesta: Bohemian actor, director, and film producer.
- Theobald Klemens von Metternich-Winneburg: Austrian and German statesman.
- Arturas Klemensas: Lithuanian rower and Olympic gold medalist.
- Edward Klemens Janusz: Polish nobleman, General of the Army of the Duchy of Warsaw.
- Pranciškus Klemensas Šivickis: Lithuanian nobleman, lawyer, journalist, and political activist.
- Anthony Klemens: American playwright and screenwriter.
- Stanisław Klemens Poniatowski: Polish nobleman and politician.