Surname Kleefmann - Meaning and Origin
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Kleefmann: What does the surname Kleefmann mean?
Kleefmann is a German surname. It is derived from the Old German word “kleve,” which means “to rise” or “to cleave.” As such, it likely refers to someone who either worked as a farmer who harvested crops, or as a blacksmith who cleaved metals. It might also be related to the Old German personal name “Kleef,” which is a diminutive of “Klee,” or “clover.” The earliest recorded bearer of the name was Kisilius de Clievam, a monk who was mentioned in a document from the mid-12th century from the town of Mettingen, located in what is now the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Throughout its history, the Kleefmann surname often changed depending on location. In some areas, it could take the form of “Kliefmann,” “Kliebman” or “Klinkmann.” Additionally, the spelling sometimes changed due to different dialects and language rules. Over time, the name became particularly prominent in Bavaria. Today, descendants of the Kleefmanns can be found throughout Germany, as well as the countries of the former German Empire.
Order DNA origin analysisKleefmann: Where does the name Kleefmann come from?
The last name Kleefmann is likely of German origin and can be found today mainly in Germany and other parts of Europe. Within Germany, most people with the surname can be found in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also a common name in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and other neighboring countries.
In the United States, the name takes a variety of spellings, with Kleifman being one of the most common. As of 2020, 2,400 people in the United States carry this name, mostly of German descent. California, followed by New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, are the states that have the highest population of people with the last name Kleifman.
The name Kleefmann is also present in Australia, although the spelling is often “Leefman” and “Leifman”. In Australia, the name is most commonly found in the state of New South Wales.
In places where the Kleefmann surname is common, it usually means that several generations of the family have lived there. It is likely that the family moved there from Germany or another part of Europe in the past, and since then has been passed down from father to son.
Variations of the surname Kleefmann
The surname Kleefmann is of German origin, with various spellings and derivatives throughout its history. It can be found
as Klafmann, Kliffmann, Cleefman, Kleyffman, Klaeffman, Kleefman, Klaefman, Kleffman, and Clifftman.
Its initial form is Klafmann, coming from the German first name Klaff, meaning "bold" or "courageous". The earliest record of the surname dates back to 1301 in a court document in Worms, Germany.
The spelling of Kleefmann begins to emerge in the 15th century when surnames began to be standardized. It is thought that the name Kleefmann may have originated as an occupational name, for someone who was a tanner of leather or worked in the fur trade.
Kleefmanns are found mostly in Germany, but also in the United States, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Since its introduction many centuries ago, the surname has been anglicized, with families spelling it differently in different countries or generations.
In modern times, Kleefmanns can be found in all walks of life, from entrepreneurs to academics, and professional athletes to movie producers. A famous American name bearer is Neil Kleefmann, CEO of software company Atlassian, who was recognized as one of Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 in 2017. Other well-known practitioners of the surname are Eric Kleefmann, a Dutch athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics, and Dutch fashion designers Boudewijn and Barco Kleefman.
Famous people with the name Kleefmann
- Arno Kleefmann: German broadcaster, journalist and writer.
- Stephan Kleefmann: German former football goalkeeper.
- Martin Kleefmann: German composer and music arranger.
- Henry Kleefmann: German civil servant and interpreter.
- Hermann Kleefmann: German merchant and entrepreneur.
- Willem Kleefmann: Dutch musician, former bass player in the band Doe Maar.
- Maria Kleefmann: German dressage rider, Bronze medalist at the 2012 London Paralympics.
- Heinrich Kleefmann: German entomologist and arachnologist.
- Thomas Kleefmann: German anatomist, physiologist and entomologist.
- Joscha Kleefmann: German rally driver.