Surname Klöcker - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Klöcker: What does the surname Klöcker mean?
The last name Klöcker is of German origin. It refers to a clocking or watchmaker, derived from the German word "klöcken," meaning "to tick." It is an occupational name given to someone who created or worked with clocks and watches.
The name is thought to have first appeared in East Prussia, Germany around the 14th century. Since then, cities such as Bremen, Hamburg, and Baden-Württemberg became home to many of these clock and watchmakers.
The surname is considered to be mostly common in North Germany, but the Klöcker family has also gained prominence in Europe, specifically in The Netherlands, where it is considered to be one of the oldest existing families.
In the United States, the name is often spelled various ways, including Klocker, Klockers, and Klocker. While it has never been a particularly popular name, the population of Klöckers in America has grown over the past few generations.
Although not as popular as some other surname origins, the Klöcker name still holds meaning and evokes a sense of history and pride. For example, the name can be a reminder of the roots of the Klöcker family, their accomplishments, and the part they played in the creation of clocks and watches.
Order DNA origin analysisKlöcker: Where does the name Klöcker come from?
The last name Klöcker is most commonly found today in northern Germany. It is a relatively rare name, but notable for its origins in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages.
The Hanseatic League was an economic and defensive alliance of trading cities throughout what is now Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and other nearby regions. During this period, trade between cities was increasing and citizens were beginning to take on surnames. The surname Klöcker was derived from the Middle Low German word for 'lockmaker'. The founder of this family almost certainly first took on the name as a craftsmanship surname, indicating his occupation as a locksmith.
Today, Klöcker can be found in the cities that embody the former Hanseatic League, as well as some towns and villages close by. The name is represented across an even wider range in Germany today, with many descendants migrating to different parts of the country, including Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.
Despite its relatively low presence worldwide, the name is still quite common in some parts of Germany. It continues to carry connotations of Germanic cultural heritage and is a reminder of the legacy of the Hanseatic League.
Variations of the surname Klöcker
Klöcker is a German surname which has several variants, spellings and related surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of Klöcker is Klocker, which incorporates the same German spelling conventions and pronunciation. Other variants include Clocker, Clocker, Klocker and Kloeker. The League of Clocker Families notes that variants of the surname are often found in Italian, Dutch, Czech and American records.
The surname can also be found in hyphenated variations such as Klöcker-von Oechsheim and Klöcker-von Inhausen. The latter is most commonly found in records from the former German states of Baden and Prussia, while the former is the name of an old German noble family.
The Polish surname Kloc is said to be a variant of Klöcker, and is also found in Germany as well as in Ómaříč in the Czech Republic. In Southern Germany, alternative spellings such as Kloecker are also common.
Other related surnames include Klöckerling, Eichklöcker, Klöckers, Klockers, Klocke, Kloeker, Klocker, Klockerl, Klockerle, Klecker, Kleckers, Klock, Kock, Kocke, Koke and MacKlocker.
Famous people with the name Klöcker
- Hendrik Klöcker: a German actor and film director
- Jens Klöcker: a German composer
- Wolfgang Klöcker: a German composer
- Karin Klöcker: a German actress
- Gisela Klöcker: a German singer
- Arthur Klöcker: a German painter
- Frank Klöcker: a German singer
- Robert Klöcker: a former German football player
- Monika Klöcker: a former German female BMX cyclist
- Martin Klöcker: a Danish organist and composer