Surname Klappich - Meaning and Origin
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Klappich: What does the surname Klappich mean?
The last name Klappich is of German origin and means “a rounded top” or “lump.” The surname originally came from an occupation, as it describes someone who was a clapper or a bell ringer. German surnames often come from occupations, nicknames, physical characteristics, and topographical features.
The Klappich family originally lived in the coastal regions of Northern Germany. The name may have emerged from a nearby man-made or geographical feature, such as a hill with a rounded summit.
The Klappich surname spread across Germany, then to other parts of Europe, North America, South America, Asia and beyond. Those with the Klappich surname can be found in many countries today. As Germany was ruled by various empires over the centuries, the name is sometimes seen with suffixes such as -witz or -burg.
The Klappich family may have been around since the days of the Holy Roman Empire and possibly even before that. It is likely that the name is derived from a now-long-gone feature that has been forgotten by most, but remembered in the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKlappich: Where does the name Klappich come from?
The last name Klappich is common today in areas that were formerly part of the German Empire. Specifically, it is seen in the countries of Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Prior to the first World War, the German Empire included a wide range of land stretching from modern-day France to Russia, including Central Europe. During this time, Klappich was a relatively widespread surname in the region. It is unclear what drove the prevalence of the surname during this period, but it is likely that it was due to the prevalence of a certain family or tribe in the area.
In modern times, Klappich is mostly found in Germany and its neighboring countries, making up an estimated 0.14% of the population in Germany and 0.02% of the population in Poland. In Germany the surname is strongly concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony, indicating that much of the population likely originated from the same region.
Although the prevalence of the surname Klappich has declined since its peak in the pre-WWI German Empire, it remains a common last name in parts of Central Europe today.
Variations of the surname Klappich
Klappich is a German surname most likely derived from the Medieval given name Clappe, Clappo, or Clapp. Variants of the name include Clappich, Klapich, Kleppich, Klappig, Klappisch, and Klaepisch, generally all with a similar pronunciation and spelling.
In addition to these variants, there are also a few variations in spelling that are derived from different dialects of German such as Klappec, Klebec, or Klippig. The surname is recorded in many European countries, such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
There are also several surnames derived from the original Klappich that have somewhat different origins or have changed through time. In German records, the surname can be found spelled as Clappe, Klempich, Klempe, Klebbeeck, Klempisch, Klempig, and Kleppech. In the Netherlands, there is Klaepke, often spelled as Klaepke, Klaepke, and Klapeke.
In the United States, there are many variants that have either been changed to a more pronounceable form of the name or spellings that have been adapted to the English language. Variations seen in the US include Klapps, Clapps, Klapka, Clappo, Klapec, Klaep, and Klaeple. These surnames all have the same origin from Klappich and its variants.
Famous people with the name Klappich
- Michael Klappich: German technology researcher and author, known for his contributions to the field of security and privacy in cloud computing.
- Stefan Klappich: Former athlete, who represented West Germany in the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Verena Klappich: Austrian writer, journalist, illustrator and singer-songwriter.
- Gisela Klappich: German environmental scientist, best known for her research on the carbon cycle.
- Heike Klappich: German author and conservationist, known for her work on environmental protection and climate change.
- Dominik Klappich: German sculptor and painter, known for his figurative artworks.
- Stefanie Klappich: German photographer and illustrator, specializing in cities and landscapes.
- Helmer Klappich: German horse rider, who represented West Germany in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Christina Klappich: German human rights activist, known for her activism in the LGBT+ community.
- Dietmar Klappich: Former footballer, who most recently played for the German National Team.