Surname von Cleef - Meaning and Origin
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von Cleef: What does the surname von Cleef mean?
The surname von Cleef is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word "cleft" meaning “cliff”. It was a topographical name given to someone who lived near a cliff. It later emerged as a surname, denoting someone who owned land close to a cliff or a family that lived on a cliffside estate.
Variants of the surname von Cleef include van Cleef, Van Cleave, von Cleave, Cleff, Kloef, and Klef. It is typically found in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Holland.
Throughout its many iterations, the surname von Cleef is a sign of power and nobility. Of particular note is the Dutch House of van Cleef, which dates back to the 16th century and is now one of the oldest and most influential noble families in Holland.
Famous people bearing the surname von Cleef include Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, renowned for his lead role in Blade Runner; martial arts expert and actor Jeff van Cleef; Swiss politician Jakob von Cleef; and Dutch opera singer Suze van Grootel.
The von Cleef surname is a proud reminder of its noble lineage and rich history. A timeless sign of power and resilience, the von Cleef name continues to pass down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Cleef: Where does the name von Cleef come from?
The last name von Cleef is today most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding areas. It is part of the noble German family of von Cleef, a branch of the House of Grote, which was a prominent noble family from before the 12th century. The von Cleef family has diverse branches in the region, mostly residing in what was historically the Duchy of Cleves and the exclave of Reckenburg.
The von Cleef family was title-bearing, and held various noble lands throughout Germany. These included holdings in or near the Vogtei of Hardt, which in medieval times was the lowest administrative district of a territory. Their holdings also included considerable estate near the city of Reckenburg, which retained its autonomy as a separate exclave until its incorporation into the Kingdom of Prussia in 1845.
Today, the majority of the von Cleef family resides in Germany and its neighboring countries, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, which were regions where their family estates were once situated. The name can also be found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The von Cleef family is quite well-known in these countries, particularly in the United States where many descendants of the family chose to settle.
Variations of the surname von Cleef
The surname von Cleef has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include the German forms of Cleve, Cleef, Kleef, and Kleeff.
In the Dutch language, the variant spelling of the family name is pronounced as Van Cleef. It can also be spelled as Vandcleef, Cleeff, Cleef, vanCleef, vanCleaf, and vanKleef.
In addition, variants of the surname can be found in various other language forms like Cleve in French, Calefe in Spanish, and Cleff in Italian.
The most common variants of the surname are the German and Dutch variants, vanCleef and Cleve, respectively. Both of these variants are used by many branches of the von Cleef family today.
The surname has also extended to other countries, most notably Denmark and the United Kingdom. In Denmark, von Cleef is often spelled as Van Cleef, while in the United Kingdom it's spelled as just Cleve.
Other surnames with similar origins include Clevernay, vonCleve, Cleft, Clevely, and Klampe. These surnames are mainly found in Holland, Germany, and England.
The spelling of the surname is important because different variations can drastically impact the family history. However, regardless of the form, all the variants of the surname von Cleef are ultimately derived from the same root name.
Famous people with the name von Cleef
- Arpège von Cleef: German-American fashion designer and entrepreneur, creator of her eponymous Arpège line.
- Lorenz von Cleef: German baron and politician, served as a member of German Parliament in the early 20th century.
- Emma von Cleef: Austrian aristocrat and opera singer, active in the 1920s.
- Fred von Cleef: Austrian-American inventor who developed the one-piece all-rubber tire.
- Albert von Cleef: 19th century Dutch diplomat and statesman.
- Gregor von Cleef: German industrialist and venture capitalist.
- Jacqueline von Cleef: German fashion designer, founder of the innovative luxury label “Jacqueline von Cleef GmbH”.
- Maximilian von Cleef: German naturalist and botanist specialized in lichenology in the 18th century.
- Walther von Cleef: German politician and surgeon active in the early 20th century.
- Walter von Cleef: pioneer banker in 19th century in the German state of Westphalia.