Surname Cleven - Meaning and Origin
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Cleven: What does the surname Cleven mean?
The last name Cleven is of German origin, and it is believed to have derived from the Old German word kliva, which means ‘ridge’ or ‘hilltop.’ It is generally listed as a habitational name for a person who lived near a particular steep hills.
The first recorded spelling of the last name Cleven was in the late 12th century AD, when Cleven was noted as a family of stature in the Bavarian region of William the Conqueror. During the medieval period, the Cleven surname was particularly prominent in several areas of Germany.
In the modern context, Cleven is a name that continues to be found throughout Germany. It is also thought to have become established in other European countries, as well as in the Americas, particularly in the United States, where it arrived from the early 1800s.
The Cleven surname can also be found in records as the variant spellings: Cliven, Klevin, Kloven, Klyven, Kleven, Kloven, Klevener, Klaub, Kleid, Kleis, Kleizing, Kleizinger, Kleemann, Kleicker, Klemke, Knipfel, and many others.
The name Cleven is also known to be associated with several individuals and groups of renown, and is most frequently found in records where it is associated with those in the academic and/or professional scientific fields. It is also a common name among artists, musicians, writers, and other creative individuals.
Overall, the name Cleven is used to represent a characteristic of strength, resiliency, and physical strength, and the people with this name are seen as individuals who are not easily discouraged and who have an enthusiasm for life and a passion for success.
Order DNA origin analysisCleven: Where does the name Cleven come from?
The last name Cleven is most commonly found today in the United States and does not appear to be a particularly popular name. However, it is particularly common in certain areas. For example, there are high concentrations of Clevens found in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington state.
Minnesota, in particular, has the highest density of Cleven. It is the the fourth most common surname in the state with over 6,500 individuals who currently reside in Minnesota and carry the Cleven surname. This is likely because Minnesota has had a strong influx of Germanic immigrants in the past centuries, particularly from the state of Westphalia, and the Cleven surname can be found throughout areas of Germany that originated from this region.
In addition to Minnesota, the largest groups of Clevens in America are found in Ohio and Washington. In Ohio, the surname is the 556th most common and data collected from the 2000 census showed that there were over 1,000 individuals with the last name Cleven residing in that state. The state of Washington is currently home to about 500 Clevens.
In general, however, the presence of the Cleven surname is not extremely prominent in the United States overall. Its numbers seem to diminish as we move further East across the country and its power to spread roots and dominate the population is minimal.
Variations of the surname Cleven
The surname Cleven has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Cleven is an old Scandinavian/Norse name and it is derived from a Norse personal name ‘Kleif’ which is a variant of ‘Kleiv’ meaning ‘cliff’.
The most common variant spellings for the surname Cleven include Cleavin, Cleaven, Clevens, and Clevenger. Other variants include Clevin, Clevins, Klevin, Klevins, Klevin and Kleven.
The surname Cleven is also found as a patronymic surname, derived from the first name of the father. Some of the patronymic variants of the Cleven surname include Cleaves, Cleavon, Cleavons, and Clavin.
The surnames Clavin, Claven, Claiborne, and Claibourn are derived from the old surname Cleven. The surname Claiborne is derived from a mix of Norman and Old English language, meaning narrow, rocky road and stone-built fort on a hillside respectively.
The surname Climo, derived from ‘de Cleem’, is also considered to be of the same origin as the surname Cleven. The surname Climo is derived from an old English word that means rocky and has a similar meaning to the Norwegian word ‘kleif’ that the surname Cleven is derived from.
In conclusion, variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Cleven include Cleavin, Cleaven, Clevens, Clevenger, Clevin, Clevins, Klevin, Klevins, Klevin, Kleven, Cleaves, Cleavon, Cleavons, Clavin, Claven, Claiborne, Claibourn and Climo.
Famous people with the name Cleven
- Anders Cleven: He is a Norwegian television presenter and actor.
- David Cleven: He is a former professional boxer.
- Jens Cleven: He is a German cycling coach.
- Jesse Cleven: He is an American auto racing driver.
- Kathryn Cleven Sisson: She is a children’s book author.
- Lars Cleven: He is a belgian football manager and former player.
- Marit Cleven: She is a Norwegian politician.
- Michael Cleven: He is a professional ice hockey player.
- Ulla Cleven: She is a Danish artist.
- David L. Cleven: He is an American Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force.
- Lawrence Cleven: He is an American professor.
- Robert Cleven: He is a former race car driver.
- Stephen Cleven: He is an Australian singer and songwriter.
- Lars Cleven Hansen: He is a former Danish football player.
- Reidar Cleven: He was a Norwegian speed skater.