Surname Klee - Meaning and Origin
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N. Klee
read moreKlee: What does the surname Klee mean?
The last name Klee is primarily found in German-speaking countries and is derived from the old German word “kleis”, meaning “clay,” “lump” or “clayey soil”. The implication is that Klee is an occupational name, possibly given to those who worked in the clay industry (e.g. potters, brick makers, and tile makers). It is possible that bearers of the Klee surname were associated with the production and delivery of materials necessary to construct homes and other structures.
The surname may also have derived from place names beginning with the same root word. People with the last name Klee could have originated from towns such as Klass or Klein in Germany or elsewhere. It is also possible that the Klee family descended from a person nicknamed Kleis or Klein (meaning “small”) due to his size or stature.
The Klee surname is found in several countries and dialects, including German, Swiss-German, Yiddish, Dutch, Afrikaans, and English. In the United States, Klee is most frequently found in Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey, and New York.
Klee is an old German name steeped in history and tradition. It is a proud, unique name that could represent a person's vocation or origin. As the name continues to be passed down through generations, the history and meaning associated with it will remain intact.
Order DNA origin analysisKlee: Where does the name Klee come from?
The last name Klee is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is especially concentrated in the German state of Brandenburg, where it is the 23rd most common last name. It is also well-represented in the US, with over 40,000 people in the nation bearing the name. This is largely due to German immigrants who left their homeland for America in the 1800s.
The Klee name likely has Germanic roots, and it is usually a shortened form of Kleemann, which translates to “small man.” The earliest records of the surname date back to the 13th century in Germany when it was connected to a noble family. Today, the name remains a popular choice in both Europe and the United States, an indication of the generations of people who have chosen to embrace the surname through the centuries.
Variations of the surname Klee
The surname Klee is of German origin and can have many different variations that may be seen in various records, such as Clee, Kleem, Klein, Kley, Klemen, Kleemann, Kleeman, Kleesen, Kleese, Kleesmann and Kliemann.
Variations are commonly the result of linguistics, where different spellings of words or names evolved in different countries or regions of the world. The name Klee is a common German name, with a wide variety of spellings that may be used in various records.
When German immigrants came to America, they often changed the spelling of their surnames to make it easier for them to pronounce and spell in English. As a result, variations of the name Klee began to appear, such as Kley, Kleesen, Kleese, Kleesmann and Kliemann.
In some cases, the name Klee may be used as a different surname altogether. In such circumstances, such as in England and Scotland, the name Klee may also be seen as a variation on the name Klay. This variation is also considered to be of German origin.
In summary, the surname Klee or variants thereof is found in various records, both in German and English-speaking countries, with the variations being the result of pronunciation, spelling and linguistics. Variations of the name Klee include Clee, Kleem, Klein, Kley, Klemen, Kleemann, Kleeman, Kleesen, Kleese, Kleesmann and Kliemann, and in some cases, the surname Klee may also be seen as a variation of the surname Klay.
Famous people with the name Klee
- Paul Klee: Paul Klee was a Swiss-German artist renowned for his unique style of painting that combined abstract, expressive brushwork and line with an ability to capture worlds of emotion. His works are considered part of modernism's bridge between Abstract and Surrealist art.
- Ruth Klee: Ruth Klee was a costume and fashion historian, writer, and museum director who specialized in the history of dress and textiles.
- Gottfried Klee: Gottfried Klee was a German jurist and professor of public law.
- Alfred Kleemann: Alfred Kleemann was a German jurist and professor of Administrative Law.
- Julius Klee: Julius Klee was a German botanist who specialized in botanical illustration.
- Tony Klee: Tony Klee is a former professional English footballer who played for Arsenal and Swansea City.
- Rudolph Klee: Rudolph Klee was a Swiss portrait painter.
- Anna Klee: Anna Klee is a German playwright and the first woman in German theatre history to direct an own-language opera.
- Justina Klee: Justina Klee is a German physician and ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract surgery.
- Alexander Klee: Alexander Klee is a German actor and film director.