Surname Kleemeyer - Meaning and Origin

Kleemeyer: What does the surname Kleemeyer mean?

The last name Kleemeyer can trace its roots to Frisian origins in Northern Germany. In the Frisian language "kleem" means "small," and "meijer" is a title taken from the Dutch word for "steward" or "administrator." Thus, Kleemeyer literally translates to "small steward."

The original name bearers of the Kleemeyer name were likely small tenant farmers in the North Sea area, employed by large landowners to manage their farms. The landowners had the title of meijer, but the Serfs who worked the farmed had the title of kleem. Thus, the surname indicates humble origins as farm laborers.

Today, the name Kleemeyer is still common in Northern Germany. The coat of arms also originated in Frisia, and the colors are blue and red with three curved legs meant to represent the Dutch shoe called the clog. Additionally, the crest of the Kleemeyer family features a falcon and is used as a symbol of vigilence and loyalty.

The modern-day meaning of the name Kleemeyer is rooted in the family’s long history. It can serve as an important reminder of the past and ensure that the family’s long legacy is proud acknowledged.

Kleemeyer: Where does the name Kleemeyer come from?

The last name Kleemeyer appears most commonly in Germany today. It is not a particularly common name in Germany, however, it does appear fairly often in various regions and cities around the country. The name is derived from the German verb, “kleemeyer” which means to scrub or clean. This indicates that those who had this surname may have been from a family of cleaners or sanitation workers.

The last name Kleemeyer is most populous in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. It is also scattered around the rest of Germany in smaller numbers. There have been reports of the Kleemeyer name showing up in Austria, Switzerland, and even France as well.

Although it’s not a particularly popular surname in Germany compared to other common German surnames like Schmidt, Müller, and Schulz, its origins make it a unique part of German culture. The name appears more prominently in the past, taking off in the 19th century when sanitary work became an important part of the structure of society. This job was crucial to the health and wellbeing of those living in those areas, and gives a glimpse into what life was like for those with this surname. Nowadays, The Kleemeyer name is still present in Germany, albeit more sparsely and with fewer families than before.

Variations of the surname Kleemeyer

The surname Kleemeyer is of German origin, originating from the German word “kleem” or “cleim,” which means “clay.” In some areas, variations of the name—including Kleimeier, Klimmier, Kleimayer and Klimmayer—are also found. In the early 19th century, spellings of the surname sometimes included an "f" before the "e," suggesting the name may have been shortened from an original Kleemeyerf.

Variations of the name may also be found in other languages, such as Dutch, where it’s spelled Kleimeijer and Kleemijer. Additionally, in Poland, the surname has been anglicized to Claymeyer or Claymayer, and immigrants to the United States sometimes spelled the name Cleemayer.

The surname is most commonly found in the western part of Germany (North-Rhine Westphalia, Rheinland-Pfalz and Hessen) as well as in the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland.

In the United States, the name may be found spelled Kleemeyer, Kleimeyer, Kleimeijer, Kleemayer, and Claymeyer.

Famous people with the name Kleemeyer

• Zach Kleemeyer, an American sound mixer
• Chapay Kleemeyer, a Russian kickboxer
• John Kleemeyer, an American politician
• Linda Kleemeyer, an American potter
• Paulus Kleemeyer, a Dutch book publisher
• Sytze Kleemeyer, a Dutch artist
• Wilfred Kleemeyer, a German physicist
• Kasper Kleemeyer, a Dutch professor
• Vincent Kleemeyer, a Dutch historian
• Albert Kleemeyer, an American painter
• Johannes Kleemeyer, a German theologian
• Chris Kleemeyer, an American musician
• Edward Kleemeyer, a German physicist
• Henry Kleemeyer, an American educator
• Madeline Kleemeyer, an American writer
• Maurice Kleemeyer, an American businessman
• Paul Kleemeyer, a German professor
• Ray Kleemeyer, an American judge
• William Kleemeyer, an American environmentalist
• Emmeth Kleemeyer, an American botanist

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