Surname Grünklee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grünklee: What does the surname Grünklee mean?
The last name Grünklee is German in origin and has a few variations, such as Grünke, Grünkel, Grünkohl, and Grünkle. It is derived from the German words Grün (green) and Klee (clover), suggesting that its original bearer may have had a connection to clover fields or symbolized a fresh start in life.
The name may have been first given to someone who lived in a clover field, worked with clover, or cultivated clover in some way. This is supported by the fact that clover is a very important and desired plant both in Europe and in American gardens. The clover offers a desirable sign of luck, innocence, fertility, and renewal, due to its repeating three-fold shape and its vibrant green color.
The origin of the name has also been attributed to a location called Grünklee, which means "green clover" and is located in the workshops of Lauenstein Castle in the Lower Franconian region of Germany.
The name has been around since at least the 13th century when records indicate a person named Adam de Gronkelu held land near Lauenstein Castle. Other early records include Hermanus Grünkele and Heinricus Grünkele of Gemunden in the year 1429, clearly showing the surname had become attached to the family name at least as far back as the 1400's.
In modern day, the Grünklee surname is less common in Germany but is still carried in some regions by descendants of the original Grünklee family. Overall, Grünklee is an interesting and ancient surname with an intriguing origin story.
Order DNA origin analysisGrünklee: Where does the name Grünklee come from?
The last name Grünklee is primarily found in continental Europe. It is derived from two German words, Grün (green) and Klee (clover). Records of the family name can be traced back to as early as the mid-16th century, in the region of Saxony. In addition, records indicate the family name was used as both a given first name and a surname. Today, Grünklee is mostly concentrated in eastern Germany, with a large population residing in Berlin.
Other areas of concentration include northern Austria, and parts of Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Sweden. There are also numerous examples of the family name found in the United States, due to 19th and 20th century immigration. All these regions speak German, and the language itself is a hint to the origins of the name.
Records of the family name can be traced all the way to the 11th century, in the region of Alsace-Lorraine. From the 12th century onwards, examples of the name can be found in publications from all around Germany. All these records point to the longevity of the family name, and its widespread presence throughout Europe.
Variations of the surname Grünklee
The surname Grünklee is a German last name derived from the word “Grün” which means “green” in English. It is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is mainly a topographical or occupational name, referring to someone who lived in or near a green meadow or clearing.
Variants of the Grünklee surname include Grünkölle, Grünköbel, Grünke, Grünkel, Grünkell, Grünkeil, and Grünschle.
Grünkölle and Grünköbel are alternative spellings which all incorporate the two primary components, “Grün” meaning green, and “Klee” meaning meadow or clearing.
Grünke, Grünkel, Grünkell, Grünkeil, and Grünschle are interchangeable spellings, which all refer to the same surname, but just in different spellings and dialects.
The surnames Grünke, Grünkel, Grünkell, Grünkeil, Grünschle, Grünkölle, and Grünköbel are all derived from the same original surname, Grünklee. They share the same roots and are all ultimately related, and this is evidenced through the shared surname components.
Most likely, all of these surname variants are used to refer to people whose ancestors lived in or near a green meadow or clearing.
Famous people with the name Grünklee
- Annegret Grünklee:former East German cyclist
- Karolin Grünklee: German singer and musician
- Charles Grünklee: German-born architect based in the United States
- Karin Grünklee: German author, journalist, and news anchor
- Ernst Grünklee: German painter and illustrator
- Walter Grünklee: German composer and conductor
- Ruth Grünklee: German academic, instructor at the Technical University of Munich
- Heinz Grünklee: German actor
- Wilhelm Grünklee: German mountaineer and artist
- Johann Grünklee: German theologian and primary figure in the mid-20th century revival of Jewish faith in Germany