Surname Klevers - Meaning and Origin
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Klevers: What does the surname Klevers mean?
The surname Klevers is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word klever which can be translated to English as “clever” or “skilful”. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was known to be particularly adept or resourceful in their work and was then passed on as a surname to successive generations of a particular family.
The earliest documented record of the name was in 13th-century Germany. Since then, the name has spread throughout Europe and has also been adopted by families in North America and other parts of the world. Variations of the name include Klewer, Claver, and Clewer.
The meaning of the name is also reflected in the coat of arms of a family bearing the name Klevers. The shield is divided into four sections and a lion is featured on each with its head turned inwards. This is believed to symbolize the cunning and resourcefulness of the bearer of the name.
The name Klevers is also observed in German folklore, where it is attributed to the legendary Reichsrath von Beuthen, a hero popularized in William Tell. It is said that the Reichsrath had a genius-level intellect and strength, and it was his combination of the two that enabled him to do what no other man could do—fight off an enemy army with just a small number of soldiers and help William Tell to win freedom for his people.
Over time, the name Klevers has come to represent intelligence, strength, skill, daring, and wit. These are all qualities that many people strive to embody, as they are characteristics that can help one be successful in life. It is no surprise that families bearing the name have a great sense of pride in its history and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisKlevers: Where does the name Klevers come from?
The last name Klevers is a German surname, most commonly found in Germany and the areas settled by German immigrants around the world. It is most frequent in the North and West German states such as Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. Although it is not particularly common in the US as a whole, it is much more frequent in certain states with large populations of German-Americans. For instance, Klevers is the 26th most common surname in Iowa and the 30th most common in North Dakota.
In Canada, a much smaller population of people of German descent can be found, but the surname can still be found in certain regions. There are concentrations of the Klevers name notably in Ontario and British Columbia, as well as in The Prairie Provinces such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
In Europe, the surname is also fairly common in countries such as Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. Likewise, there are a few enclaves in the UK where the surname is much more common, notably London and Yorkshire. It is relatively rare in other countries around the world such as South America, Africa, and Asia, but there are a few instances in certain regions.
Overall, Klevers is a common German surname found in regions with large or significant populations of German ancestry of descended families. It is quite common among the states along the Midwest in the US, as well as in certain parts of Europe and Canada.
Variations of the surname Klevers
The surname Klevers is a descendent of the old German title Kleverer, which signifies “wise, skillful, or accomplished person.” It is an occupational surname primarily found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. It currently comes in various forms, spellings, and surnames, all varying slightly from the original German title.
In Germany, Klevers is spelled Klavers. In various local dialects, it may also appear as Klaherer, Klaer, Kleverher, Klaeren, Claeren, Clarens, Cleeren, Kleyer, Kleiner, and Klein. It can also be spelled differently depending on region, either as Claver, Kleves, Klevest, Klevir, or Klever.
Klevers can also be seen in alternative surnames. In the Netherlands, it may surfase as Claessen, Claessen, Claasz, Claesz, Claessens, Clez, Clasz, and Claassen. German names may also appear as Claver, Klaeser, Klaesner, Klaas, Klaser, Klaesz, Klaes, Klesner, Klessner, Klessner, Klesser, and Klein. In the Nordic countries, it may be seen as Klauser, Cleuser, and Kleppen.
In conclusion, the surname Klevers is an old German title, however it can appear in a variety of different forms due to regional variations and alternate spelling. Each spelling, variant, and alternative surname still holds the same origin, shedding light on the wise and capable people with this unique surname.
Famous people with the name Klevers
- Marlen Klevers: German footballer who played for Bayern Munich and 1. FC Saarbrücken from 1969–1984.
- Karl Heinz Klevers: German former middle-distance runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Jochen Klevers: German actor known for his roles in Cagliostro, Kuss und Knutschen, and Tiger Girl.
- Giuseppe Klevers: Swiss professional road and track cyclist who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
- André Klevers: German Jesuit and missionary who worked in the Congo region from 1911–1920.
- Auguste Klevers: French opera singer and stage actress active in the 1960s–1970s.
- Natalia Klevers: Russian figure skater and 1991 World Junior Championships bronze medallist.
- Vera Klevers: Dutch double amputee and wheelchair athlete. She won gold for long jump at the 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Georg Henrich Klevers: German Baroque composer and organist active around the beginning of the 18th century.
- Philipp Jakob Klevers: German Baroque painter of religious and decorative art active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.